Democratic members of the US House Oversight Committee, which is following the criminal investigation into billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, released the letter online on 8/9 after obtaining it from his residence.
The message was written inside a sketch of a naked woman. It appears to be part of a book of letters from friends to Epstein for his 50th birthday, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for sex trafficking of minors and other charges related to Epstein, her former boyfriend.
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A undated photo released by a New York court in 2021 shows Jeffrey Epstein with Ghislaine Maxwell. Photo: AFP |
A undated photo released by a New York court in 2021 shows Jeffrey Epstein with Ghislaine Maxwell. Photo: AFP
The letter records a short dialogue between "Donald" and "Jeffrey".
"We have a few things in common," Donald wrote.
"Come to think of it, we do," Jeffrey replied.
"Mysteries are never old, do you realize that?" Donald asked.
"Actually, the last time I saw you, I saw that clearly," Jeffrey responded.
"It's great to have a friend. Happy birthday and may every day be another great mystery," Donald concluded, followed by Trump's signature.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the letter was fake. She said it was "very clear that President Donald Trump did not draw this picture and did not sign it".
President Trump, 79, sued the Wall Street Journal for USD 10 billion after it reported on the letter's existence. He claims he never sent it. Leavitt said the president's legal team will "continue to pursue the lawsuit aggressively".
American financier Epstein, born in 1953, was arrested in New York in July 2019 on charges of soliciting dozens of minors, some as young as 14, for sex. He faced 45 years in prison if convicted.
Epstein denied all charges and was held in a Manhattan jail. However, while awaiting trial, he hanged himself in his cell in August 2019.
US officials at the time vowed to continue the investigation into Epstein's accomplices. Trump, a former friend of Epstein, had promised to release the records if elected, but has not done so and has repeatedly urged Republican voters not to "waste time" on the case, displeasing some of his supporters.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie are leading efforts to pass the Epstein Records Transparency Act, which would require the US attorney general to release all Epstein records in a searchable format.
All 212 Democratic representatives support the bill and it will pass if six more Republicans vote in favor. Khanna said he will hold a press conference today with 10 of Epstein's victims, bringing "potentially shocking" information that will force other members to support the bill.
Vu Hoang (According to AFP, Reuters)
