Lawmakers Unveil Alleged Trump Letter to Epstein, Sparking Fierce Denials

Lawmakers on Monday released a 2003 birthday note-complete with a suggestive sketch-reportedly signed by former President Donald Trump to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a claim Trump vehemently rejects.

A disputed personal keepsake The one-page letter, part of Epstein’s “birthday book,” features a dialogue between Trump and Epstein alongside a nude torso drawing and a cursive “Donald” signature. It was obtained by the House Oversight Committee from Epstein’s estate and made public after a subpoena compelled trustees to hand over the album.

White House and Trump’s response White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled the document “fake news,” insisting Trump “did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it.” Vice President JD Vance and other allies echoed that the signature does not match Trump’s known autographs, promising continued litigation against the Wall Street Journal and others for defamation.

Epstein files and broader scrutiny The release adds to months of scrutiny over Trump’s relationship with Epstein, who died in 2019 amid sex-trafficking charges. Republicans like Representative Thomas Massie have called for the full release of the so-called “Epstein Files,” arguing that survivors need transparency more than sensational revelations.

Signature authenticity debate Critics point to Trump’s history of personal doodles and first-name signatures as evidence that the cursive “Donald” could be genuine. Analysts note stylistic similarities with Trump’s letters to public figures in the late 1990s, though supporters remain unconvinced.

Political fallout The controversy deepens divisions within the Republican Party ahead of the 2025 midterms. While Democrats argue the letter underlines the need for accountability, Trump’s base views the episode as a politically motivated attack aimed at undermining his credibility.

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