Democratic lawmakers have released a copy of a 2003 “birthday book” compiled for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, containing a note allegedly written by US President Donald Trump, a claim the White House has strongly denied.
The 238-page scrapbook, titled “The First Fifty Years,” was put together for Epstein’s 50th birthday by Ghislaine Maxwell, his longtime associate who was convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking.
It was handed to the House Oversight Committee on Monday as part of a trove of documents provided by Epstein’s estate, which also included his will and personal address book.
The book features contributions from politicians, business figures and celebrities once connected to Epstein. Among them is a note bearing Trump’s name and signature, surrounded by a hand-drawn outline of a woman’s body — details first reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year.
Trump has rejected the authenticity of the note, calling it “false, malicious, and defamatory,” and has filed a $10bn lawsuit against the Journal, its reporters, and publisher Rupert Murdoch.
“These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures,” Trump said, though US media outlets noted he had previously donated sketches to charity auctions.
High-profile names
The book also reportedly contains a message from former US president Bill Clinton, who at the time was acquainted with
. A spokesperson for Clinton reiterated that he knew nothing of Epstein’s crimes.
British politician Lord Peter Mandelson also appears in the book, addressing Epstein as “my best pal.” His office later said he regretted having ever been introduced to the financier.
Prince Andrew is briefly mentioned in an entry by an unnamed woman who claimed she met Trump, Clinton and Andrew through Epstein and had “seen the private quarters of Buckingham Palace.” The Duke of York has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Political pressure
The release of the scrapbook comes amid mounting calls — including from within Trump’s own Republican Party — for more transparency on Epstein’s network and the investigations surrounding him.
Epstein, who was facing federal sex trafficking charges, died in prison in 2019. His associations with global elites have continued to fuel controversy years after his death.
For Trump, the allegations resurface at a time of increased political scrutiny, with Democrats and media outlets pressing for answers over his past friendship with Epstein.
The White House said in a statement that the president “did not write or sign” the note, dismissing the claim as an attempt to smear him ahead of the 2024 election season.
