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Trump’s Epstein problems grow after report he sent a sexually suggestive letter to one-time friend for his 50th birthday

July 18, 2025
08:58 AM
7 min read
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moneywealthfinancialutilitiesconsumer staplesmarket cyclesseasonal analysisgeopolitical

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Trump promised a lawsuit after The Wall Street Journal described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump’s name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein’s 50th birthday.

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7 min read

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investment

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July 18, 2025

08:58 AM

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Fortune

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moneywealthfinancialutilitiesconsumer staplesmarket cyclesseasonal analysisgeopolitical

·Donald TrumpTrump’s Epstein blems grow after report he sent a sexually suggestive letter to one-time friend for his 50th birthdayBy Eric TuckerBy Alanna Durkin RicherBy The Associated PressBy Eric TuckerBy Alanna Durkin RicherBy The Associated Press A mugshot of Jeffrey Epstein, former financier and convicted sex offender, is seen on a television at the US Capitol in Washington, DCAlex WROBLEWSKI / AFP) (Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesThe controversy over President Donald Trump ’s handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation entered a new dimension Thursday as his administration struggles to make good on its mises to release details on the sex trafficking case involving a one-time friend of the now-president

Trump mised a lawsuit after The Wall Street Journal described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump’s name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein’s 50th birthday

However, Trump denied writing the letter, calling it “false, malicious, and defamatory. ” It came after Trump in recent days has berated as “weaklings” supporters vying for more records from the Epstein be, after years of courting political support from those who have stoked claims of a coverup in the case to tect wealthy friends of Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 awaiting trial on federal charges of trafficking of underage girls

Moreover, Trump has also shielded his attorney general from being questioned the case after she walked back claims of the existence of a “client list” of elites who participated in Epstein’s crimes, and has even taken to claiming without evidence that files were doctored by Democrats

In an administration that prides itself on changing the narrative on negative storylines, the Epstein saga has had remarkable staying power, thanks in part to infighting at high levels of government, Trump’s blistering criticism of his own base and the head-scratching mystery of why documents his own administration mised to unlock will remain buried — seemingly for good

Thursday’s disclosure — coupled with frustration from Trump-allied lawmakers on Capitol Hill — pushed Trump to abruptly reverse course and direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to try to make some of the documents in the case public

Bondi said she would seek court permission Friday to release grand jury information, but it would require a judge’s apval, and she and Trump were silent on the additional evidence collected by federal law enforcement in the sprawling investigation that Bondi last week announced she would not release

Furthermore, A newly revealed letter to Epstein The letter revealed by The Wall Street Journal was reportedly collected by disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as part of a birthday album for Epstein years before the wealthy financier was first arrested in 2006 and subsequently had a falling-out with Trump

In contrast, The letter bearing Trump’s name includes text framed by the outline of what appears to be a hand-drawn naked woman and ends with, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” according to the newspaper

Nevertheless, The outlet described the contents of the letter but did not publish a photo showing it entirely

However, Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and convicted a year later on charges that she helped Epstein lure girls to be sexually abused (which is quite significant)

However, Trump slammed the story in a lengthy social media post Thursday night, saying he spoke to both to the paper’s owner, Rupert Murdoch, and its top editor, Emma Tucker, and told them the letter was “fake, considering recent developments

On the other hand, In contrast, ” Trump mised to sue the paper over the story, saying: “These are not my words, not the way I talk

Also, I don’t draw pictures (fascinating analysis). ” Vice President JD Vance said The Wall Street Journal “should be ashamed” for publishing it

However, “Where is this letter

Would you be shocked to learn they never showed it to us before publishing it

Does anyone honestly believe this sounds Donald Trump. ” he wrote on X (quite telling)

Moreover, Trump tries to move on The Trump administration has been struggling for nearly two weeks to contain the fallout of the Justice Department’s announcement that no more Epstein evidence in the government’s possession would be released to the public despite mises of transparency from Bondi (this bears monitoring)

The Justice Department’s reversal on the Epstein files not only angered Trump supporters but touched off a testy exchange at the White House last week between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino that neither official has publicly addressed (which is quite significant), in this volatile climate

The evidence shows Justice Department has yet to vide a full accounting of its reversal months after Bondi handed out binders to conservative influencers at the White House that read the “Epstein Files: Phase 1” and “the most transparent administration. ” Bondi earlier this week refused to answer questions from reporters the Epstein files and her relationship with Bongino

At the same time, The White House on Thursday closed the door on calls for a further inquiry into the Epstein investigation, saying the president would not be recommending the appointment of a special counsel, in today's financial world

Even though his administration for months had hyped the expected release of more documents, Trump slammed his own supporters earlier this week for their furor over the Epstein files saga

Trump called it a “hoax” and tried to place blame on Democrats, accusing former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as former FBI Director James Comey — without evidence — of making up such documents

Earlier Thursday, the controversy over the Epstein files had snarled the House’s efforts to pass a bill that claws back $9. 4 billion in federal spending, as Democrats used cedural moves to force votes on releasing the documents in tandem with the package

That frustrated House Republicans, who tried to forge a solution that could include a resolution supporting the release of “credible” files pertaining to Epstein and his activities

Trump is no stranger to scrutiny Trump himself has faced years of scrutiny over his own private life (this bears monitoring)

Last year, for instance, he was convicted of felony charges in New York in connection with hush money payments meant to silence an adult film star’s sex claims ahead of the 2016 presidential election, in this volatile climate

Additionally, Trump has denied the relationship

And Trump’s ties to Epstein have been well-documented, though the president has not been accused of misconduct in connection with their social relationship

Footage unearthed by NBC News ing Epstein’s federal indictment in 2019 showed the two chatting at a party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in 1992

The analysis reveals , recorded at a time when Trump was newly divorced, shows him surrounded by young women, whom NBC identified as cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills

Additionally, It also depicts the two men standing and gesturing at the women on the dance floor. “I knew him everybody in Palm Beach knew him,” Trump said when the emerged, considering recent developments. “He was a fixture in Palm Beach

I had a falling-out with him a long time ago

I don’t think I’ve spoken to him for 15 years (remarkable data), considering recent developments

Additionally, ” Previously released files included a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted spending several hours with Epstein at Trump’s Atlantic City casino but didn’t say if she actually met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing

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