By Matt Underwood It was Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday, a milestone that prompted Ghislaine Maxwell to organize a unique gift – a birthday album filled with personal messages from his friends and associates. Among those contributing was Donald Trump, whose letter, recently revealed, has sparked considerable discussion.
The album, which was assembled in 2003, contains letters, poems, photographs, and greetings from a diverse group of individuals, including businesspeople, academics, former girlfriends, childhood friends, and other notable figures in Epstein’s social circle. The collection, reviewed by *The Wall Street Journal*, offers a glimpse into Epstein’s life and the relationships he cultivated.
The letter penned by Donald Trump is described as “bawdy,” mirroring the tone of other contributions in the album. Within the outline of a nude woman, likely hand-drawn, is a typewritten note structured as a mock conversation between “Donald” and Epstein.
The tone is suggestive, implying shared secrets and interests. The note ends with the birthday wish: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” The signature is a simple “Donald” below the drawing.
Trump, when asked about the letter, has denied writing it, calling it a “fake thing” and a “fake Wall Street Journal story.” He stated he doesn’t “draw pictures of women” and doesn’t “use that language.” However, it’s worth noting the specific denial, particularly regarding the artistic aspect of the letter.
This is not the first time Trump has been connected to Epstein. The two were known to have socialized together in the 1990s and early 2000s, with photographic evidence of their interactions, including an event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump, in a 2002 *New York* magazine profile, described Epstein as a “terrific guy,” adding that Epstein “likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” This comment, in retrospect, carries a chilling weight.
Other notable figures also contributed to the album. Leslie Wexner, the former head of Victoria’s Secret, included a line drawing of what appears to be a woman’s breasts. Alan Dershowitz, a lawyer who represented Epstein, submitted a mock magazine cover. The album also featured a letter from a now-deceased Harvard economist, Epstein’s report cards, and a note from a former assistant.
The album was put together by a New York City bookbinder.
The unveiling of the letters and the context of Epstein’s 50th birthday album has generated a significant amount of interest and controversy. It is a reminder of the complex and often opaque social circles in which Epstein moved.
The revelation, coinciding with ongoing scrutiny of the Epstein case, has prompted questions about the extent of the relationships between Epstein and his associates, including Trump. The contents of the birthday album offer a look into the social dynamics and shared secrets that defined Epstein’s world.