July 18, 2025: Former President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against The Wall Street Journal following its report on a sexually suggestive letter allegedly bearing his signature in Jeffrey Epstein’s 2003 birthday album. Trump denounced the story as “fake” and “defamatory,” claiming he never wrote or drew the contents attributed to him.
The letter, reportedly reviewed by WSJ, was part of a leather-bound birthday album organized by Ghislaine Maxwell to mark Epstein’s 50th birthday. The album included personal messages from several of Epstein’s high-profile acquaintances and has come under renewed scrutiny amid ongoing Justice Department investigations into Epstein and Maxwell’s long-running sex trafficking operation.
Trump Denies Authorship, Promises Lawsuit
In a Tuesday interview with WSJ, Trump flatly denied involvement:
“This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story. I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women. It’s not my language. It’s not my words.”
He further warned the publication against running the story, reportedly stating, “I’m gonna sue The Wall Street Journal just like I sued everyone else.”
On Thursday, Trump escalated his response on Truth Social, directly targeting WSJ editor Emma Tucker:
“The Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Emma Tucker, was told directly by Karoline Leavitt, and by President Trump, that the letter was a FAKE, but Emma Tucker didn’t want to hear that… President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly.”
He accused the press of relying on “sources that probably don’t even exist,” and emphasized that “the press has to learn to be truthful.”
What’s in the Letter?
According to the WSJ report, the page attributed to Trump is formatted as a mock conversation between him and Epstein, typed within the outline of a naked woman drawn in thick black marker. The drawing includes small arcs for breasts and a “squiggly ‘Donald’” signature placed below the waist to resemble pubic hair.
The note ends with a cryptic line:
“A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The paper notes that the authenticity and origins of the letter remain uncertain, and that it was stored with other birthday messages from Epstein’s circle of associates.
Political Fallout
The article drew sharp reactions, particularly from Trump allies. U.S. Vice President JD Vance called the story “complete and utter bulls—” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding:
“The WSJ should be ashamed for publishing it… Does anyone honestly believe this sounds like Donald Trump?”
As investigations into Epstein’s network continue, the letter — authentic or not — further entangles powerful figures with the disgraced financier’s legacy.