Wintry mix Thursday night, another storm Friday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The estate of Jeffrey Epstein has provided the House Oversight Committee with a copy of the birthday book prepared as a gift for the disgraced financier on his 50th birthday — an album that includes a tawdry image that appears to have been signed by President Trump, even though Trump had previously dismissed it as "fake."

Members of the oversight panel confirmed Monday that they had received the 2003 birthday book, which was compiled for Epstein by his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The book was among a set of records released by the committee as part of its investigation of the government's handling of the Epstein case. 

"We got Trump's birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein that the President said doesn't exist," Democrats on the Oversight Committee said in a post on social media. "Trump talks about a 'wonderful secret' the two of them shared. What is he hiding? Release the files!"

The existence of the birthday book was first disclosed in July

, which reported that Trump's signature appears on a page in the book that featured several lines of typewritten text, framed by the outline of a naked woman. The Journal described Trump's signature as "a squiggly 'Donald' below her waist, mimicking pubic hair."

At the time, Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the picture, telling the Journal, "This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story."

The White House doubled down on that denial on Monday, calling the release "FAKE NEWS to perpetuate the Democrat Epstein Hoax!" 

"As I have said all along, it's very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. President Trump's legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said 

Democrats have sought to spotlight Trump's past friendship with Epstein — though Trump has repeatedly said 

 before Epstein was indicted for soliciting prostitution in 2006.

Republicans on the Oversight Committee criticized Democrats for "cherry-picking documents and politicizing information" that the panel received from Epstein's estate. 

"President Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing and Democrats are ignoring the new information the Committee received today," said Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., in a statement. He continued, "Democrats must decide if their priority is justice for the survivors or politics."

The book was among a set of documents submitted to the committee in response to 

 by the committee, with redactions, alongside a copy of Epstein's last will and testament, entries from his address book and a 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. 

The committee said it had also obtained information about Epstein's bank accounts and would pursue the bank records. 

The release comes as Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., continue to press GOP leaders to force the Trump administration to release all files related to federal investigations into Epstein. The pair is working to secure the 218 signatures necessary to force a vote on the issue on the House floor.

Politics and Government News

Homepage

Jason Breslow

Author

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the book included a tawdry drawing and note that appeared to include President Trump’s signature. Trump had previously denied its existence.  

Estate of Jeffrey Epstein gives Congress ‘birthday book’ allegedly signed by Trump

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox