A brief, bawdy exchange attributed to Donald Trump in a collection of birthday messages compiled for Jeffrey Epstein has been published by news outlets and in files released to Congress, even as the president continues to deny he sent the note and has filed suit over reporting about it.
The item, described by the Wall Street Journal and later circulated by other outlets, appears in a volume assembled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday. The exchange includes lines attributed to Trump such as "We have certain things in common, Jeffrey" and "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret." The Journal reported that the signature on the page, placed in the pubic-area region of a nude-sketch silhouette in the book, matches other known "Donald" signatures and noted the use of phrasing similar to other Trump writings.
President Trump vehemently denied sending the message and has taken legal action. He filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, alleging inaccuracies in the paper’s reporting about the note. When asked about the matter by NBC reporter Garrett Haake, Trump said: "I don’t comment on something that’s a dead issue. I gave all comments to the staff. It’s a dead issue." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted that the Journal "PROVES this entire 'Birthday Card' story is false" and said the president's legal team would continue to pursue litigation.
The note's publication intensified attention on Epstein’s network and the contents of the book, which the House Oversight Committee obtained from Epstein's estate and made available to investigators. The files include a range of messages and images from a wide circle of acquaintances and associates, reportedly including a more cautious note from former President Bill Clinton, along with submissions from prominent business and legal figures whose names have been previously tied to Epstein.
The New York Times and other outlets described additional material from the birthday book that investigators reviewed: hand-drawn sketches, photographs, and notes, some of which have been partially redacted in releases. The releases include items attributed to figures such as Nathan Myhrvold, Leslie Wexner, Leon Black, Alan Dershowitz and Jean-Luc Brunel. A partially redacted photograph shown in the files reportedly depicts Epstein holding an oversized check bearing the signature line "DJTRUMP" and a caption referencing a transaction for $22,500.
News organizations that have examined the page attributed to Trump say the juxtaposition of a sketch of a naked woman and the placement of the signature drew particular scrutiny. The Wall Street Journal said it compared the writing to other signatures and noted consistent language. The White House and Trump allies have rejected those conclusions and framed the publication as politically motivated; some supporters have called for legal retaliation against news outlets.
Victims of Epstein’s trafficking scheme, some of whom have spoken publicly and in congressional settings, have urged continued scrutiny of Epstein’s associates and how they may have enabled his conduct. Media coverage of the birthday book has reignited debate over the scope of Epstein’s contacts and the responsibilities of those whose names appear in his records.
Lawmakers and investigators have continued to review materials turned over by Epstein’s estate, and the House Oversight Committee’s release of files has provided new primary-source documents for reporters and researchers. The disclosures come as questions about Epstein’s circle have been intermittently central to news coverage and congressional oversight since his arrest and subsequent death.
The dispute over the birthday-page attribution adds to broader controversies surrounding the president, including previous denials and legal challenges tied to reporting about his past associations. News organizations that reported on the birthday-book contents say they stand by their reporting; the White House has said it will press legal claims.
As the materials circulate publicly and are cited in ongoing political debate, officials and media outlets continue to parse the documents released by investigators and to seek additional records. The implications of any specific handwritten item hinge on provenance and corroboration, issues likely to shape further reporting and any legal proceedings stemming from the publications.