A leather-bound birthday album created for Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003 has resurfaced in public discussion, drawing fresh attention after The Wall Street Journal reported it includes a letter bearing what appears to be Donald Trump’s signature.The gift was reportedly organised by Ghislaine Maxwell and featured messages from several of Epstein’s prominent associates.The MAGA chief has threatened to sue WSJ over the alleged 2003 letter, calling it ‘fake’.The birthday album and its contents are now under renewed scrutiny following recent US Justice Department investigations into Epstein and Maxwell.
Naked sketch and a typewritten note
According to The Wall Street Journal, the page attributed to Trump features several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, drawn in thick black marker. The Journal report says: “A pair of small arcs denotes the woman’s breasts, and the future president’s signature is a squiggly ‘Donald’ below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.”The note is allegedly styled as an imaginary third-person conversation between Trump and Epstein. It ends with the line: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”The origins of the letter remain unclear, and it is not known how the version bearing Trump’s signature was produced, according to WSJ.
The document was reportedly stored alongside birthday messages from other Epstein acquaintances.
Trump denies involvement, threatens lawsuit
In an interview with WSJ on Tuesday, Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the figure. “This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story,” he said. “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women. It’s not my language. It’s not my words.”He also warned the paper against publishing the article.
“I’m gonna sue The Wall Street Journal just like I sued everyone else,” he reportedly said.On Thursday, Trump further expressed his frustration and posted on his Truth Social account, condemning WSJ. He attacked the editor directly, saying: “The Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Emma Tucker, was told directly by Karoline Leavitt, and by President Trump, that the letter was a FAKE, but Emma Tucker didn’t want to hear that.
Instead, they are going with a false, malicious, and defamatory story anyway.”
‘Complete and utter BS’: JD Vance
Following the publication of the article, US vice president JD Vance slammed the piece in a post on X, writing: “Forgive my language but this story is complete and utter bulls—.” He added, “The WSJ should be ashamed for publishing it. Where is this letter? Would you be shocked to learn they never showed it to us before publishing it? Does anyone honestly believe this sounds like Donald Trump?”
‘Scam perpetuated by the Democrats’
In another Truth Social post, Trump asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action, writing: “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”
‘When has President Trump spoken like this?’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt further pressed on the matter.
In a post on X, she condemned WSJ’s actions: “The WSJ refused to show us the letter and conceded they don’t even have it in their possession when we asked them to verify the alleged document they’re basing their ENTIRE fake story on.”“When has President Trump ever spoken like the conversation alleged in the fake WSJ story? That’s not at all how he speaks or writes, ” she said.
Conspiracy allegations
Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested that parts of the Epstein files may have been fabricated by Democrats, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and ex-FBI Director James Comey. “I can imagine what they put into files,” Trump said, later referring to the Epstein revelations as part of “the Jeffrey Epstein hoax” and calling for the FBI to investigate what he described as a criminal conspiracy against him.The Journal’s article was published shortly after the dismissal of Maurene Comey from the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan. Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, had previously helped lead the prosecutions of Epstein and Maxwell.Trump has long denied close ties to Epstein, stating that he cut off their friendship before Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. Epstein died in a New York federal jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide. Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of helping procure underage girls for Epstein.
