A decades-old birthday book for Jeffrey Epstein, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, has resurfaced, dragging former President Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump into a sordid spotlight. In 2003, Clinton penned a handwritten note praising Epstein’s “childlike curiosity,” while Trump allegedly contributed a risqué drawing and cryptic message, as the Daily Mail reports. The revelations, reported by the Wall Street Journal, have sparked controversy and a massive lawsuit.
Clinton’s paragraph, part of a leather-bound book for Epstein’s 50th birthday, was organized by Maxwell before Epstein’s 2006 arrest. The Wall Street Journal noted that Clinton’s message lauded Epstein’s curiosity and drive. A Clinton spokesperson dodged comment, pointing to a prior claim that ties were cut long before Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
Clinton’s note reads, “It’s reassuring isn’t it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity.” Such glowing words for a man later charged with child sex trafficking raise eyebrows. The cozy tone suggests a troubling blindness to Epstein’s dark side.
Trump’s alleged contribution to the birthday book is far more eyebrow-raising. The Wall Street Journal claims he submitted a hand-drawn sketch of a naked woman, complete with marker-drawn breasts and a squiggly signature mimicking pubic hair. The accompanying text, signed “Donald,” wished Epstein a “Happy Birthday” with a cryptic nod to “wonderful secrets.”
The now-president's supposed letter included an imaginary third-person conversation, stating, “We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.” Another line mused, “Enigmas never age, have you noticed that.” The bizarre tone feels like a fever dream from a tabloid’s darkest corners.
Trump vehemently denies the drawing and text, calling the story “fake” and slamming the Wall Street Journal. “This is not me. This is a fake thing,” he declared. His fury culminated in a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, its journalists, and Rupert Murdoch.
Trump’s legal battle hinges on proving “actual malice,” meaning that the Wall Street Journal knowingly published falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The lawsuit, filed the day after the report, underscores Trump’s aggressive stance against media outlets. His supporters see it as a stand against “fake news” peddled by progressive agendas.
“I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam,” Trump posted on Truth Social, vowing to “sue his ass off.” The fiery rhetoric resonates with MAGA loyalists tired of what they view as biased reporting. Yet, Trump’s claim of never drawing pictures is undercut by his 2004 sketches of New York City landmarks available online.
The birthday book, a pre-2006 relic, included poems and photos from about 20 high-profile “friends” of Epstein, including Clinton and Trump. Compiled by Maxwell, it predates Epstein’s first arrest and paints a picture of elite camaraderie. The Justice Department’s initial Epstein probe included the book, though its role in recent investigations remains unclear.
Epstein, awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges, died by suicide in 2019, a fact confirmed by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi, in February, shared “Phase 1” binders of Epstein-related information with MAGA influencers, fueling expectations of a client list reveal. She later claimed no such list exists, dousing hopes and stirring unrest among Trump’s base.
Bondi’s reversal on the client list -- “It doesn’t exist,” she stated -- has fractured MAGA unity. Supporters, expecting a bombshell to expose Epstein’s elite network, feel betrayed by unfulfilled campaign promises. The lack of transparency only deepens skepticism about the establishment’s grip on truth.
Trump, addressing the controversy, demanded Bondi release pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to court approval. “This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!” he declared. His call for action reflects frustration with a narrative that refuses to die.
JD Vance, a staunch Trump ally, blasted the Wall Street Journal report as “complete and utter bulls**t.” He questioned the letter’s existence, noting the outlet never showed it to Trump’s team before publication. “Does anyone honestly believe this sounds like Donald Trump?” Vance asked on X, urging skepticism.
Vance’s defense highlights a broader distrust of mainstream media among conservatives. The Wall Street Journal’s decision to publish without verification feeds into narratives of a weaponized press. Yet, the story’s persistence keeps Epstein’s shadow looming over political discourse.
The resurfaced birthday book, with its unsettling contributions from Clinton and Trump, underscores the murky ties between power and scandal. While Clinton’s note reeks of naive praise, Trump’s alleged drawing and lawsuit amplify questions about truth in media. As the defamation case unfolds, the public is left to sift through a haze of elite connections and contested facts.
