U.S. lawmakers have released a 2003 “birthday book” belonging to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sparking new controversy due to an alleged note signed by then-businessman Donald Trump. The 238-page scrapbook, titled “The First Fifty Years”, was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former partner and co-conspirator, to mark his 50th birthday.
Among various high-profile messages in the book is a drawing of a woman’s body accompanied by what appears to be a conversation between Epstein and Trump. The note ends with, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret. Donald J. Trump.” The message, released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, reignited scrutiny of Trump’s past ties to Epstein.
The White House has strongly denied the note’s authenticity. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump “did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” emphasizing that the handwriting does not match Trump’s known signature. Trump previously called the document “a fake” when it was first reported in July and has since filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal for publishing details of it.
Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat, accused Trump of lying about the note’s existence and “trying to cover up the truth.” In contrast, Republican Chairman James Comer criticized Democrats for “cherry-picking” documents and politicizing the investigation. He reaffirmed the GOP’s focus on transparency and justice for Epstein’s victims.
Other names appearing in the book include former President Bill Clinton and British politician Lord Peter Mandelson. Clinton’s note refers to Epstein’s “childlike curiosity,” while Mandelson described him as his “best pal.” Both men have acknowledged knowing Epstein but deny any knowledge of or involvement in his crimes.
The book also references Prince Andrew, with one note from an unnamed woman claiming to have met the Duke of York, Clinton, and Trump through Epstein. She described visiting Buckingham Palace and sitting on the Queen’s throne. Prince Andrew has previously denied all allegations linked to the Epstein case.
Alongside the birthday book, lawmakers released Epstein’s 2007 non-prosecution agreement and decades of entries from his personal address book. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The documents have reignited public debate over who in Epstein’s orbit may still have questions to answer.
