Donald Trump’s name appeared on a risqué 2003 birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday — a claim the former president quickly denounced as “fake” and vowed to litigate.
According to the Journal, the note was among several messages compiled in a leather-bound album created to celebrate Epstein’s 50th birthday, three years before public allegations of sexual abuse were brought against the financier. The letter allegedly featured typewritten text surrounded by the hand-drawn outline of a naked woman and was signed “Donald.” It reportedly concluded with the line: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Reuters said it could not independently confirm the authenticity of the letter.
Trump immediately fired back on his Truth Social platform, accusing the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch — whose company, News Corp, owns the paper — of knowingly printing a fabricated letter.
“The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued,” Trump wrote.
“President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly.”
A spokesperson for the Journal and its parent company, Dow Jones & Co., declined to comment. Representatives for News Corp and Murdoch could not be immediately reached.
The White House also did not respond to a request for comment.
Vice President JD Vance weighed in on X, formerly Twitter, calling the story “complete and utter bullshit” and stating that the Wall Street Journal “should be ashamed for publishing it.”
The controversy reignites broader public interest in Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while facing charges of sex-trafficking conspiracy. This month, the Justice Department said it found no evidence to support many of the long-standing conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death or his high-profile clientele.
Still, questions persist. Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously pledged to release explosive details related to Epstein, including “a lot of names” and “a lot of flight logs.” On Thursday, Trump and Bondi said they would seek court approval to release grand jury testimony tied to the case.
Some of Trump’s supporters, who have long demanded transparency about Epstein’s connections, have expressed frustration — creating rare friction within Trump’s base. Trump dismissed the speculation: “It’s all been a big hoax,” he said in the Oval Office Wednesday.
Allegations that Epstein had sexually abused underage girls first became public in 2006. He was arrested that year and later struck a controversial plea deal. In 2019, he was arrested again but died in jail before his trial.
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