Donald Trump is once again at the centre of controversy after investigators in Washington released a sexually suggestive letter from a 2003 birthday album compiled for Jeffrey Epstein. The note, scrawled inside the outline of a curvaceous woman, bears Mr Trump’s name and apparent signature. He insists it is a forgery.
Mr Trump said: “This is not my signature. These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures.” His legal team is already suing The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion over earlier reporting on the letter, which he blasted as “false, malicious, and defamatory”. The album, created for Epstein’s 50th birthday, featured letters and names from high-profile figures including Bill Clinton and lawyer Alan Dershowitz.
The US House Oversight Committee, which obtained the book from Epstein’s estate, published it on Monday evening. Democrats framed the release as evidence worth examining as they push for further disclosures on Epstein’s circle of contacts.
Democrat Representative Jamie Raskin called it “sickening”.
But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. His legal team will continue to pursue litigation aggressively.”
Deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich posted examples of Mr Trump’s authentic signature on X, writing: “It’s not his signature.”
Republicans in Congress echoed the same line. Florida representative Byron Donalds said: “It’s not his signature. I’ve seen Donald Trump sign a million things.”
Representative Thomas Massie, who is leading a bipartisan effort to force the Justice Department to publish Epstein’s files, downplayed the revelation.
He said: “It doesn’t prove anything. Having a birthday card from Trump doesn’t help the survivors and the victims.”
The row comes as pressure mounts on the US government to release all records connected to Epstein. Lawmakers in both parties — including Vice-President JD Vance, before taking office — have demanded transparency over Epstein’s finances, his secret plea deals and the names in his contact books.
Last month, the committee issued subpoenas to Epstein’s estate for his will, holdings and financial records. In August, the Justice Department began releasing long-requested material.
Epstein’s criminal past hangs heavy over the case. The disgraced financier was accused of paying underage girls for sex, disguised as “massages”, while his close associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of recruiting teenagers for him.
Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial, officially ruled a suicide — though many still question that conclusion.
Mr Trump’s past friendship with Epstein continues to dog him. Once social acquaintances, Mr Trump says their relationship collapsed two decades ago after Epstein “stole” young women working at Mar-a-Lago, including Virginia Giuffre, who later became one of Epstein’s most high-profile accusers.
The newly released letter ensures Mr Trump remains tied to the scandal. For Democrats, it is ammunition to highlight his links to Epstein. For Republicans, it is a distraction to dismiss. Either way, with subpoenas flying and fresh documents emerging, the fight over Epstein’s secrets is only beginning.
