Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking case. This announcement came amidst controversy surrounding a report alleging he contributed a sketch of a naked woman to Epstein’s 50th birthday album.
The president stated on Truth Social that he had authorized the Justice Department to pursue the public release of the sealed materials, citing “the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein.”
Bondi, facing accusations from Trump’s far-right supporters that she mismanaged and failed to release previously secret Epstein case documents, responded to Trump’s post by vowing to comply with his directive.
This flurry of activity followed a report in the detailing a letter Trump allegedly contributed to Ghislane Maxwell’s compilation album. The letter was described as “bawdy” and included a drawing of a naked woman’s silhouette surrounding a typed personal message to Epstein.
“A pair of small arcs denotes the woman’s breasts, and the future president’s signature is a squiggly ‘Donald’ below her waist, mimicking pubic hair,” the reported. It added that the letter concluded: “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump denied the authorship of the tribute to the and, hours after the story was published, announced on Truth Social his intention to file a lawsuit, denouncing the reporting as fake and labeling it “the Epstein Hoax.”
The president said he personally told Rupert Murdoch and the publication’s editor-in-chief Emma Tucker that the letter was fake and that he would sue if the story ran.
“Mr Murdoch stated that he would take care of it but obviously did not have the power to do so,” Trump wrote. “Instead they are going with a false, malicious, defamatory story anyway. President Trump will be suing the Wall Street Journal, News Corp and Mr Murdoch shortly.”
Trump’s statement followed attempts by himself and White House officials to discredit the story, including pressuring the to provide a copy of the letter, which it reportedly did not do.
As the potential story gained traction in Washington, the question of whether it would run and whether Trump actually created the drawing became a point of discussion among administration officials, Trump allies, and reporters.
The conceded that the letter’s origin was unclear, but that it contained a typed note styled as a fictional conversation between Trump and Epstein.
The note reportedly began:
“Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,” the note began.
Donald: Yes, there is, but I won’t tell you what it is.
Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is.
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 another wonderful secret.
The reported that Maxwell collected letters from Trump and dozens of Epstein’s other associates, including L Brands owner Les Wexner, for the 2003 birthday album, three years before Epstein was first investigated for sexual misconduct.
The leather-bound album was among the documents examined by Justice Department officials during their investigation of Epstein and Maxwell.
Others who submitted birthday greetings included Epstein attorney Alan Dershowitz and Wexner, who allegedly contributed the message “I wanted to get you what you want … so here it is … ” along with a drawing that the described as “of what appeared to be a woman’s breasts”. Wexner declined to comment through a spokesman.
Dershowitz told the : “It’s been a long time and I don’t recall the content of what I may have written.”
The 2003 birthday album with Trump’s birthday wishes follows a 2002 magazine profile where Trump commended Epstein. “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,” Trump told the publication.
“He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
In recent days, as the Epstein controversy resurfaced, Trump has attempted to distance himself and his supporters from the subject, calling it a “hoax”.
