The White House is scrambling to contain the damage from the latest development in the Jeffrey Epstein saga, and members of Trump’s own family are adding fuel to the fire.
On Monday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a drawing and letter allegedly sent to Epstein for his birthday by President Donald Trump in 2003. The letter, whose existence was first reported by the Wall Street Journal in July, was shared with House members by Epstein’s estate. The drawing, made public on Monday, features the outline of a woman’s body and includes the inscription, “Happy Birthday ― and may every day be another wonderful secret.” The letter closes with a scribbled signature that bears a strong resemblance to Trump’s.
Trump continued to deny the letter’s veracity, holding the line that the message was a “hoax.” The president’s niece, a longtime critic of his administration, said the signature belonged to the president.
“That’s definitely his signature. Just saying,” Mary Trump wrote on X.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the story as a smear campaign.
“It’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” she wrote on X on Monday.
Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich threatened a defamation lawsuit via social media, tagging the Journal’s parent company.
“Time for @newscorp to open that checkbook, it’s not his signature. DEFAMATION!” he wrote.
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Democrats seized on their release to push the White House to publish more Epstein-related files. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif, urged transparency.
“It’s time for the President to tell us the truth about what he knew and release all the Epstein files. The American people are demanding answers,” the House Oversight Committee’s top Democrat said in a statement.
Some members of the GOP have joined in the calls for increased transparency. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., accused GOP leadership of enabling a “covering up for pedophiles.” In a conversation with conservative activist James O’Keefe, Massie said colleagues were “terrified of President Trump’s political machine” and, as a result, unwilling to back resolutions seeking Epstein disclosures.
Trump has been urging supporters to move on from Epstein-related stories since their relationship resurfaced over the summer. On Monday, he reiterated his position to NBC News.
“I don’t comment on something that’s a dead issue. I gave all comments to the staff. It’s a dead issue,” he said.
