DONALD Trump is threatening to sue the Wall Street Journal after the paper alleged he sent Jeffrey Epstein a crude letter featuring a drawing of a naked woman to mark the convicted paedophile's 50th birthday in 2003.
According to the paper, Trump wished Epstein a "happy birthday" adding “may every day be another wonderful secret” for a birthday album compiled by Epstein's partner, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump has denied writing the letter or drawing the picture.
The president, who is facing rising pressure from his own Republican allies to release alleged confidential files on Epstein, said he has asked Pam Bondi, the attorney-general, to release the grand jury testimony on the disgraced financier.
“This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story,” he told the Journal, as he threatened to sue the paper.
“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.”
The letter allegedly submitted by Trump features several lines of typewritten text framed by the drawn outline of a naked woman.
The president’s signature is a squiggly “Donald” below her waist, mimicking pubic hair, the newspaper reported. It is unclear who wrote the letter or how it was prepared.
Dozens of Epstein’s associates are said to have written in the album, which was reported to have been reviewed by Justice Department officials as part of their investigations into the prolific sex-trafficking operations run by Epstein and Maxwell.
Epstein was first arrested on charges of sexually abusing a minor in 2006. He was rearrested in 2019 and died by suicide in his prison cell a month later.
Trump had previously praised Epstein in a 2002 article as a “terrific guy” who “likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side”.
The pair later fell out when Epstein was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution.
In the 2003 birthday album given to Epstein, the letter allegedly signed by Trump is written in the third person as an imaginary conversation between him and his friend.
In the exchange, Trump — identified as “Donald” — says: “We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.” Epstein, identified as “Jeffrey”, replies: “Yes, we do, come to think of it.”
It ends with Trump allegedly saying: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday night: “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked attorney-general Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent grand jury testimony, subject to court approval.”
He added: “This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”
Before Trump was elected in November, he said he would have “no problem” releasing files relating to Epstein.
There is no evidence that Trump engaged in criminal activity with Epstein. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
