The House Oversight Committee has released a redacted copy of an alleged birthday book given to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday. The book is part of a larger trove of documents recently made public, including Epstein's will and personal contact lists containing information on politicians, royalty, and celebrities from around the world.
Within the 238-page book, notable messages and photographs were found, including a letter with a signature that appears to be that of former President Donald Trump, who has since denied writing the note.
Epstein, a financier and known sex offender, was discovered dead in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
Last month, the House Oversight Committee issued legal summonses to Epstein's estate for various documents, prompting the release of the birthday book along with other materials. This includes entries from Epstein’s address book spanning from 1990 to 2019 and a non-prosecution agreement he signed.
Epstein's complex associations have garnered bipartisan scrutiny. Reports revealed Trump's name appeared in investigations related to Epstein, leading to divergent opinions among Trump's supporters and calls from Democrats for transparency regarding all files associated with Epstein. Under significant pressure, the Trump administration had initially considered releasing more information before reversing course.
The note that allegedly originates from Trump contains a sketch of a woman’s body and includes a dialogue depicting the two men discussing their shared interests, ultimately wishing Epstein a happy birthday. The White House has claimed Trump neither drew the picture nor signed the note.
The book features entries from 40 individuals across various categories, but names related to Epstein's family and girlfriends have been redacted. Some of those mentioned, including former President Bill Clinton and UK ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson, have not issued statements regarding their associations, although Mandelson expressed regret about knowing Epstein.
This situation is further complicated by the range of individuals who shared messages in the book, highlighting Epstein's connections across social lines and raising discussions around his influence and the nature of his relationships.
Reactions to the release have been mixed, with critics accusing the committee of political maneuvering while others call for an unredacted release to ensure accountability and provide clarity to the public, particularly survivors of Epstein’s exploitation.
