A bombshell revelation has rocked the political landscape: Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee have publicly released a note allegedly written and signed by former President Donald Trump for Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003. The document, containing a suggestive drawing and the cryptic closing line "Happy Birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret," was obtained from Epstein's estate following a subpoena.
The White House vehemently denies the authenticity of the note, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterating the President's claim that "President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it," and vowing continued legal action against the Wall Street Journal, which initially reported on the note in July. The former President has already launched a $10 billion lawsuit against the newspaper and its parent company, News Corp, alleging defamation.
This latest development comes after months of legal wrangling and escalating accusations. The Democrats, releasing the image on X (formerly Twitter), directly challenged Trump's previous denials, stating "Trump talks about a 'wonderful secret' the two of them shared. What is he hiding? Release the files!" The committee's ranking Democrat, Robert Garcia, openly accused Trump of lying and attempting to conceal the truth.
In response, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich posted images of Trump's signature on X, alleging the note's signature is a forgery and demanding that News Corp fulfill its alleged responsibility. The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, stands by its reporting, asserting the note was included in a birthday book compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's accomplice, in 2003.
The note's release adds fuel to the already intense scrutiny surrounding Trump's relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. While Trump has claimed their friendship ended in the early 2000s following a dispute over employees, this new evidence raises questions about the nature and extent of their connection. The "wonderful secret" mentioned in the alleged note remains a subject of intense speculation and investigation. This unfolding saga promises to continue to dominate headlines and political discourse in the coming weeks.
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Originally published at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgqnn4ngvdo
