An alleged birthday card sent by President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein has stirred a fresh wave of controversy, prompting legal and political responses.
Amid ongoing scrutiny over his past associations, Trump has refuted claims regarding a lewd birthday card linked to Epstein, leading to significant media coverage and a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, the Daily Mail reported.
In a detailed response to the allegations, Trump has termed the birthday card matter as "a dead issue," emphasizing his perspective during a statement to NBC News. This response comes in the wake of the Democrats' release of images from a birthday scrapbook alleged to contain a card from Trump to Epstein, featuring a provocative drawing accompanied by Trump's signature.
Trump has aggressively denied the authenticity of the birthday message, branding it as "fake" and consequently suing The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion, alleging defamation. His lawsuit highlights his team's intent to challenge the veracity of the reporting vigorously.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Trump's denials on X, stating, "The latest piece published by the Wall Street Journal proves this entire 'Birthday Card' story is false," indicating a strong ongoing dispute over the facts presented by the media.
As part of his rebuttal, Trump has distanced himself from any knowledge or involvement in Epstein's criminal activities, asserting that he severed all ties with Epstein much earlier.
The birthday scrapbook, which was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein's 50th birthday, has become a key piece of evidence in the ongoing controversy. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
The scrapbook not only includes the contentious card but also other notable entries, such as a photo of Epstein with a large check and a humorous note about Trump and a woman both individuals knew, portraying a complex web of interactions.
Further adding to the intrigue, the scrapbook contains a handwritten note from former President Bill Clinton, among contributions from other prominent figures, demonstrating the high-profile nature of Epstein's associations.
The dissemination of these materials by Democrats has led to a severe partisan clash, with Republicans and Democrats debating the contextual handling of the recently surfaced documents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi's involvement has deepened the legal dimensions of the case, as she handed over 33,000 pages of documents related to Epstein to the House Oversight Committee, fueling further investigations.
In a DOJ interview, despite the storm of controversy, Maxwell defended Trump, stating he was "never inappropriate" despite the scrutiny over his past social ties with Epstein.
The release and interpretation of these documents have intensified the demands for transparency. Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia sharply criticized Trump's previous dismissal of the investigation, asserting in a statement to The Wall Street Journal that Trump is covering up the truth about his relationship with Epstein and the alleged birthday note.
This has spurred a broader debate on the accuracy of public figures' statements and the true extent of their past relationships. "President Trump called the Epstein investigation a hoax and claimed that his birthday note didn't exist. Now we know that Donald Trump was lying and is doing everything he can to cover up the truth. Enough of the games and lies, release the full files now," Garcia stated, highlighting the tension and the stakes involved.
The fallout from this saga continues to unfold, with legal, political, and media narratives clashing in a highly publicized battle over truth and historical transparency. As both sides of the political spectrum delve deeper, the implications are expected to resonate well beyond the current news cycle.
