Trump's signature found on Epstein birthday note featuring drawing of naked woman: WSJ
“I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women,” Trump said. “It’s not my language. It’s not my words.” Trump also posted that he planned to file lawsuits against the Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Rupert Murdoch
US President Donald Trump's name appeared on a risque 2003 personal note to Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported. The president responded that the letter was fake.
According to the report, published Thursday, a birthday album compiled for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003 contained a letter signed "Donald" with a drawing of a woman's breasts, where the signature was placed in the area of pubic hair. The sketch was surrounded by several lines of typewritten text and ended with the line: "Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret."
Trump, in an interview with the Journal on Tuesday, denied having written the letter or drawn the image.
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"I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women," Trump said. "It's not my language. It's not my words."
Following the publication, Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday night, stating that he had instructed former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi "to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval." Bondi later responded on X (formerly Twitter), saying she was prepared to comply by Friday, although legal experts noted such a release would likely take longer due to judicial procedures.
Earlier in the day, Trump also posted that he planned to file lawsuits against the Wall Street Journal, its parent company NewsCorp, and Rupert Murdoch.
"President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr Murdoch, shortly," the Truth Social post read.
The Wall Street Journal declined to comment when contacted by CNN.
The controversy stems from a birthday album reportedly assembled by Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein who was convicted of child sex trafficking.
The Journal reported that Maxwell gathered letters from several high-profile figures, including Trump, for Epstein's birthday. The album was later reviewed by the US Justice Department during its investigation into Epstein.
The report has sparked mixed reactions within Trump's support base, with several prominent voices defending him and questioning the letter's authenticity.
US Senator and Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance took to social media, calling the story "complete and utter bullshit" in a post on X.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer echoed the sentiment, dismissing the letter as "totally fake."
"Everyone who actually KNOWS President Trump knows he doesn't type letters. He writes notes in big black Sharpie," Loomer posted.
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk also weighed in: "This is not how Trump talks at all. I don't believe it." His remarks referenced the typewritten dialogue in the letter that imagines a conversation between Trump and Epstein, suggesting there's "more to life than having everything."
The report is likely to intensify scrutiny over Trump's handling of a Justice Department review into the Epstein case — a topic that has stirred deep frustration among some within his MAGA base.
Last week, the Justice Department stated Epstein died by suicide and confirmed there was no so-called "client list." It also announced no further documents would be released, triggering backlash from Trump supporters who had expected transparency.
Responding to the discontent, Trump lashed out at his own base on Wednesday, dismissing the issue as a conspiracy.
"Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," he wrote on Truth Social.
Despite mounting pressure, Trump later allowed Bondi to release any additional "credible" information regarding the Epstein case, while criticising "stupid and foolish Republicans" still pushing the matter.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added on Thursday that Trump "would not recommend" appointing a special counsel to probe the Epstein files, even though some of his allies have demanded it.
Trump and Epstein were known to have socialised in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump also appeared in flight logs for Epstein's private jet. However, he has repeatedly stated that their friendship ended before Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution. He also claimed they had not spoken for roughly 15 years prior to Epstein's 2019 arrest.
Epstein, a disgraced financier with ties to powerful figures, died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors. Although ruled a suicide, his death has fuelled widespread conspiracy theories.
