Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released a trove of letters from a birthday book made for the 50th birthday of late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
The book includes notes bearing the names of an array of wealthy and powerful people, including a lewd letter and drawing alleged to have been written by President Donald Trump. The president has repeatedly denied writing the letter and sued the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report its existence, for defamation.
The 238-page bound book had allegedly been given to Epstein as a 50th birthday present by his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.
Its contents had been the subject of increasing public and political interest since the Wall Street Journal reported Trump’s alleged contribution. “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women,” he told the Journal at the time. “It’s not my language. It’s not my words.”
The President has sought to play down his connection to Epstein over the years. He has said consistently that he broke off his friendship long before any allegations of Epstein’s crimes came to light.
But his Administration has faced criticism for its refusal to release the so-called “Epstein files”—documents related to the various law enforcement investigations into Epstein’s crimes—after many within Trump’s inner circle claimed for years that their contents would expose serious crimes by powerful people.
The book was released by the Epstein estate in response to a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee for a wide range of documents, including the birthday book, Epstein’s will, his 2008 nonprosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida, and financial documents.
The book was separated into sections for family, friends, girlfriends and assistants.
Here are some excerpts from Epstein’s birthday book:
