Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Monday released a sexually suggestive letter purportedly signed by US President Donald Trump in a 2003 birthday album for Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
What does the letter show?
The letter, first described earlier this year in The Wall Street Journal, was unveiled as part of a 50th birthday compilation for Epstein. It appears on a page framed by a hand-drawn outline of a curvaceous woman and includes the words: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” The album was provided to lawmakers by Epstein’s estate.
Trump denies
Trump, however, has forcefully denied authoring either the note or the drawing. “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures,” the president said. He has also sued The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion, calling its earlier reporting on the letter “false, malicious, and defamatory.”White House officials echoed that defence. “It’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement posted on X. Deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich shared images of Trump’s signature over the years, claiming the one on the letter does not match.
Renewed focus on Epstein ties
The release comes as Congress ramps up pressure on federal agencies to disclose more records related to Epstein and his former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. Lawmakers from both parties — including Vice President JD Vance, before taking office — have urged the Justice Department to release the so-called “Epstein files.”The committee last month subpoenaed documents from Epstein’s estate, including his will, contact books, financial records, and agreements with prosecutors. In August, the Justice Department began turning over investigative materials to lawmakers.Trump’s long-ago friendship with Epstein has continued to draw scrutiny. The president has said their relationship soured two decades ago after Epstein “stole” young women who worked at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, including Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers.
