‘Birthday book’ of Epstein with purported Trump note released by US lawmakers

A copy of a 2003 “birthday book” that was given to the late convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein which purportedly contains a note signed by US President Donald Trump has been made public by US lawmakers.

Epstein’s will and his personal address book, which contained contacts with politicians, celebrities, royalty, and models worldwide, were among the many documents included in the book when it was first published.

Following a subpoena last month, attorneys for Epstein’s estate submitted documents to the House Oversight Committee.

According to the White House, the president “did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it” in the purported letter from Trump that included a drawing of a woman’s body.

The congressional committee last month issued a legal summons for the executors of Epstein’s estate to produce a number of documents, including the birthday book.

The release comes as the president faces growing pressure, including from his own supporters and within his own Republican Party, for more transparency on what investigations into Epstein uncovered.

The 238-page book was put together for Epstein’s 50th birthday by Ghislaine Maxwell, his British co-conspirator and ex-girlfriend who was convicted in 2021 of conspiring with him to traffic girls for sex. It was created in 2003 – three years before allegations of sex abuse by Epstein became public.

The scrapbook, titled “The first fifty years”, contains submissions, apparently from various people connected to Epstein, including high-profile politicians and business leaders.

There is another note that seems to be from former President Bill Clinton that mentions Epstein’s “childlike curiosity” in addition to the purported note from Trump, who was his friend at the time.

Clinton’s spokesperson admitted that he knew Epstein at the time but was unaware of his wrongdoings.

For comments on the recently published book, the BBC has reached out to the Clinton Foundation and a former president’s attorney.

The British Ambassador to the United States, Lord Peter Mandelson, also calls Epstein “my best pal” in a birthday greeting.

Lord Mandelson’s spokesperson told the BBC that he had expressed regret for being introduced to Epstein for a long time.

Prince Andrew is briefly mentioned in the book. A note from an unidentified woman says she met Prince Andrew, Clinton and Trump through Epstein, as well as a number of celebrities.

The woman goes on to say she has “seen the private quarters of Buckingham Palace” and “sat on the Queen of England’s throne”. Prince Andrew faced allegations as part of the Epstein saga and has denied any wrongdoing.

When the alleged Trump note was first reported by the Wall Street Journal in July, the president said it was “a fake thing” and denied writing it. He filed a lawsuit against the paper’s reporters, publisher and executives, including News Corp’s owner Rupert Murdoch, seeking $10bn (£7.4bn) in damages.

Before the committee released the book and other Epstein documents, Democratic lawmakers posted a picture of the birthday note on X.

One of the lines in the purportedly signed note from Trump reads, “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

Although the White House denied on Monday that the president produced anything for the book and claimed the note’s signature did not match Trump’s, Trump has not responded to the note’s release.

Trump “claimed that his birthday note didn’t exist,” according to Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight panel, which is led by Republicans. BBC report in details