A controversy continues to swirl around a handwritten note allegedly penned by former President Donald Trump and given to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. The House Oversight Committee, controlled by Democrats, released a copy of the note on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, reigniting a legal battle and raising fresh questions about Trump's past associations.
The note, which reads "Happy Birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret," is part of a birthday book compiled by Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The committee obtained the document after subpoenaing lawyers for Epstein's estate last month.
The White House vehemently denies the authenticity of the note. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated unequivocally that the signature is not Trump's and that the President's legal team will pursue aggressive legal action. This echoes Trump's previous public statements dismissing the note as a "fake thing," citing both the handwriting and the phrasing as inconsistencies with his style. Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich further amplified the denial on X, posting examples of Trump's signature and accusing the Wall Street Journal, which initially reported on the note, of defamation.
The Wall Street Journal, however, stands by its reporting, asserting the accuracy and thoroughness of its investigation. The newspaper reported in July that the birthday book, compiled in 2003, contained messages from numerous acquaintances of Epstein, including the purported note from Trump.
This release comes amidst existing legal battles. Trump has already filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal's reporters, publisher, and executives, including News Corp owner Rupert Murdoch, over the original story. The revelation of the note adds further fuel to the ongoing dispute. The alleged friendship between Trump and Epstein, which Trump claims ended in the early 2000s after a dispute over employees, continues to be a subject of intense public scrutiny and political debate. Epstein's 2006 indictment on state felony charges of soliciting prostitution and his subsequent death in prison in 2019 further complicate the narrative. The release of this document is certain to prolong the controversy and intensify the legal wrangling.
---
Originally published at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgqnn4ngvdo
