Trump Denies Epstein Birthday Note, Pushes for Court File Release

Trump Denies Epstein Birthday Note, Pushes for Court File Release

Donald Trump has denied claims made by The Wall Street Journal that his name appeared on a sexually explicit 2003 birthday card sent to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump called the note "fake" and said the story was "false, malicious, and defamatory." He also threatened legal action against the WSJ and its owner Rupert Murdoch, claiming they were warned not to publish the piece.

The WSJ report described the card as having typewritten text surrounded by a hand-drawn nude female outline. Trump responded on Truth Social, writing, "These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures." However, Trump has previously admitted to doodling buildings and cityscapes, even auctioning some to raise money for charity.

At the same time, Trump urged the Department of Justice to release all documents relating to Epstein’s cases. He criticized Democrats, claiming they held the files for four years and failed to act because "they had nothing."

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that she is prepared to ask the court to unseal grand jury records, though it could take time. It remains unclear whether the files in question relate to Epstein’s early 2000s cases or his 2019 federal charges.

Trump’s stance on Epstein records has shifted. At times, he’s demanded transparency, while at others he’s downplayed or denied the existence of any incriminating material. This inconsistency has raised questions among both critics and supporters.

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A joint review from the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, released on July 7, concluded there is no "incriminating client list" linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Contrary to widespread conspiracy theories, the agencies found no credible evidence Epstein blackmailed any high-profile individuals.

This comes despite earlier comments from key Trump allies suggesting otherwise. In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had Epstein’s client list “sitting on [her] desk,” but the White House later clarified that the files referred to were related to Epstein's already known crimes. Vice President JD Vance also echoed public demand by stating, “we need to release the Epstein list,” during a podcast interview.

Public interest in the Epstein files remains extremely high, with a YouGov poll showing 79% of Americans want all documents released. This includes 75% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats – a rare bipartisan consensus. The issue has sparked friction within Trump’s base, with some of his loyal supporters expressing doubt over his mixed messaging.

Trump's brand is built on being a truth-teller and outsider challenging the establishment, but his shifting narrative on Epstein documents risks undermining that image. One moment he insists files must be unsealed; the next, he claims there’s nothing to find, or that any new findings are fake.

The challenge for Trump is proving a negative  that nothing exists or that he had no involvement. Until clear answers emerge, questions will likely persist, and pressure for transparency may continue to grow from both sides of the political aisle.

In the meantime, legal efforts to release court documents are moving forward, but the final decision lies with a federal judge and could take weeks or months.