Alleged Epstein 50th birthday letter from Trump released
Congressional Democrats posted an image of what they say is the 50th birthday letter from the president to Jeffrey Epstein after receiving some of the disgraced financier’s estate documents Monday.
The White House continues to dispute the authorship of the bawdy note and sued The Wall Street Journal, which broke news of the letter in July, for defamation.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich also took to social media Monday and posted the image – which features a signed “Donald” at the bottom – alongside multiple photos of the president’s official signature. Although only his first name is signed on the letter, it’s still different from how he signs his first name now.
“Time for@newscorp to open that checkbook, it’s not his signature. DEFAMATION!” he wrote.
The president has said himself that the note is not from him.
The birthday note was included in files the Department of Justice had reviewed years ago as part of their earlier investigations into Epstein, according to the Journal. British socialite and Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell had solicited Epstein’s friends for letters or notes she could compile into a book, for the convicted child sex offender’s 50th birthday. Trump and Epstein were friends at the time.
The note features a short, typed exchange framed by a hand-drawn silhouette of a woman’s torso, with curved lines for her breasts and Trump’s alleged signature suggestively positioned below the waist.
The exchange reads like the script for a commercial or an ad.
“Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything. Donald: Yes, but I won’t tell you what it is,” followed by “Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is.”
“Donald” alludes to having “certain things in common with Epstein” and finishes with the mercurial line, “Happy Birthday –– and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The Journal published another piece Monday.
“The latest piece published by the Wall Street Journal PROVES this entire ‘Birthday Card’ story is false,” wrote White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Truth Social. “This is FAKE NEWS to perpetuate the Democrat Epstein Hoax!”
The article talks about another letter from the book from “businessman and longtime Mar-a-Lago member Joel Pashcow,” which was turned over to Congress Monday. The letter reportedly references Trump and Epstein’s relationship, as well. Trump has said the two had a falling out in the early 2000s.
Leavitt called the article a “hatchet job” and added that Trump’s lawyers will “continue to aggressively pursue litigation.”
The House Oversight Committee is investigating whether any of Epstein’s files implicate the president or others who need to be held accountable. The files it received Monday were from lawyers from Epstein’s estate.
Congressional Democrats have called on the Department of Justice to release the files it has pertaining to the Epstein case.
Latest News Stories
U.S. seeks dismissal of lawsuit over deadly boat strikes
Seattle mayor reverses course, activates surveillance cameras for World Cup
Expert: GOP success this week doesn’t mean Nov. 3 victories
High-speed rail project criticized again after $3.5B contract
Platner leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate race despite controversies
Illinois quick hits: Illinois parole absconder arrested in Tennessee
GOP rep: Time will tell on data center tax credit pause
Montana governor to Washington companies: We want your business
WATCH: Civil rights curriculum aims to shape future leaders
Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team statement
More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review
Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House
Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana