What happened?
Democratic lawmakers on the US House Oversight Committee have released a controversial letter allegedly written by President Donald Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The note, framed by a hand-drawn sketch of a nude woman, was included in a “birthday book” created for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003 by Ghislaine Maxwell. The document was handed over by Epstein’s estate and published online on Monday.
The release followed an earlier Wall Street Journal report describing the note, which led Trump to file a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the newspaper. The White House has rejected the claim outright, insisting Trump did not write or sign the letter.
Trump’s response
“These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures,” Trump said, dismissing the note as fabricated. His legal team confirmed they would continue to pursue litigation against the Wall Street Journal and others over the reporting.
Trump acknowledged he once knew Epstein socially but said they fell out in the early 2000s after Epstein recruited staff from Mar-a-Lago. Critics, however, point to photos and prior comments suggesting Trump and Epstein maintained a friendly relationship during that period.
What else was released?
Alongside the “birthday book,” lawmakers also released Epstein’s will, his personal address book spanning nearly 30 years, and a 2007 non-prosecution agreement that allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges in Florida. The documents have reignited debate about Epstein’s network of powerful connections and whether he received protection from prosecution for years.
Why it matters
The resurfacing of Epstein’s files is fueling fresh conspiracy theories and political clashes in Washington. Democrats argue that Trump has attempted to downplay his past ties to Epstein, while Republicans accuse Democrats of “cherry-picking” documents to score political points.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, but his influence and connections continue to spark investigations and controversy worldwide.
