The release of a sexually suggestive birthday note allegedly signed by Donald Trump and addressed to Jeffrey Epstein has ignited a firestorm of controversy. House Democrats shared the 2003 note, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which depicts a drawing and a message purportedly from the former president. The White House vehemently denies Trump's involvement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared the note a fabrication, asserting on X (formerly Twitter) that the image and signature are not authentic. She stated that the evidence "PROVES this entire ‘Birthday Card’ story is false" and confirmed the President's legal team is pursuing legal action against the Wall Street Journal for its reporting. Leavitt further characterized the release of the note as part of a "Democrat Epstein Hoax!"
Deputy Press Secretary Taylor Budowich joined the counter-offensive, presenting four images of Trump’s signature from 2024 as purported proof of the discrepancy. However, critics quickly pointed out the significant time gap—over two decades—between the Epstein note and Budowich's examples, highlighting the natural evolution of handwriting over time.
Independent White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg countered this argument by posting images of Trump's signatures from the pre-2003 era. These examples bear a closer resemblance to the signature on the Epstein birthday note, raising further questions about the White House’s denial. The contrasting examples of Trump's signatures from different periods have intensified the debate surrounding the authenticity of the controversial birthday note. The legal battle and public scrutiny surrounding this matter are far from over.
---
Originally published at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/sep/08/donald-trump-immigration-hyundai-tariffs-us-politics-live-news-updates
