The Wall Street Journal on Monday published a copy of a birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein that bears Donald Trump‘s signature.
The Journal’s report on the letter last summer triggered a defamation lawsuit by Trump, who sued not just the publication but Rupert Murdoch and others at News Corp. The president has denied writing the letter and called it “fake,” and his lawsuit referred to the letter as “nonexistent.”
But the copy of the letter, which Epstein’s estate provided in response to a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee, confirms the Journal’s original reporting about its contents. The first Journal report also included Trump’s denials.
The letter includes text framed by the outline of a naked woman, with “Donald” written in the spot of public hair.
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The letter had been part of a birthday book put together for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, and included messages from other famous figures including former President Bill Clinton and attorney Alan Dershowitz, according to the Journal.
Democrats on the Overight Committee also posted the letter.
The Journal and its parent company, Dow Jones, have not yet filed a response to Trump’s lawsuit. But a spokesperson for Dow Jones said in July, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
The letter is structured like a script between Trump and Epstein.
Donald: “We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.”
Jeffrey: “Yes we do, come to think of it.”
Donald: “Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?”
Jeffrey: “As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.”
Donald: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be a wonderful secret.”
The release of the letter comes as two lawmakers, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) are gathering signatures to bring a resolution to the floor of the House for the full release of the Justice Department’s Epstein files. Last week, they gathered victims and survivors of Epstein’s abuse to a press conference on Capitol Hill, calling for the release.
Trump, though, has labeled the effort to release the files a “Democrat hoax.”