The Wall Street Journal has published a revealing story about President Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, igniting a firestorm of controversy and prompting allegations that Trump attempted to suppress the report. The article, which appeared on Thursday, July 17, 2025, details a 2003 birthday letter from Trump to Epstein, included in a leather-bound album compiled by Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell to mark the disgraced financier’s 50th birthday. The letter, described as “bawdy,” contains typewritten text framed by a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, with Trump’s signature—a squiggly “Donald”—positioned below the figure’s waist, resembling pubic hair. The letter concludes with the suggestive line, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

According to reports, the Trump administration was aware of the Wall Street Journal’s investigation into this letter and took steps to prevent its publication. Sources indicate that Trump personally contacted the Journal’s editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, to express his objections and urge the outlet to abandon the story. The White House’s efforts reportedly included threats of legal action against the newspaper, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. Despite these attempts, the Journal proceeded with publication, citing documents reviewed by its reporters and the Justice Department, which had examined the album as part of its investigations into Epstein and Maxwell.

Trump has vehemently denied writing the letter or creating the accompanying drawing, calling the story a “fake” and a “hoax” in an interview with the Journal. “This is not me. It’s a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story,” he stated, adding, “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.” Following the article’s release, Trump reiterated his intent to sue the Journal and its parent company, News Corp, claiming the story was “false, malicious, and defamatory.” He also instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce “any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony” related to the Epstein case, subject to court approval.

The letter itself reportedly includes a fictional dialogue between Trump and Epstein, with lines such as, “Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey,” and “Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.” The exchange concludes with Trump’s signature and the cryptic birthday wish. The album, which also contained letters from other notable figures like lawyer Alan Dershowitz and billionaire Les Wexner, was among the materials reviewed by Justice Department officials during their investigations into Epstein’s and Maxwell’s activities.

The publication of the Wall Street Journal’s story comes amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s handling of the Epstein case. For years, Trump and his allies, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, have fueled speculation about Epstein’s activities, promising to release incriminating documents that would expose a supposed “client list” of powerful individuals. However, a Justice Department memo released on July 6, 2025, concluded that no such list exists and reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019, a finding that has provoked outrage among Trump’s base. The memo’s release, coupled with the administration’s decision not to disclose additional Epstein-related files, has led to accusations of a cover-up from both supporters and critics.

The controversy has been further inflamed by recent developments, including the abrupt firing of Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor who worked on the Epstein and Maxwell cases, on July 16, 2025. Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was dismissed without a clear explanation, raising questions about whether her termination was linked to the Epstein investigation. Trump’s supporters, particularly those in the MAGA movement, have expressed frustration, with figures like Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace, as well as commentators Laura Loomer and Jack Posobiec, demanding greater transparency. Some have called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the handling of the Epstein files.

Trump’s response has been to dismiss the Epstein case as “boring” and a “Democratic hoax,” urging his supporters to move on. In a Truth Social post on July 16, 2025, he wrote, “Let’s not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.” He has also distanced himself from Epstein, describing him as a “creep” and claiming their relationship ended before Epstein’s legal troubles began in 2006. However, the Wall Street Journal’s report, along with earlier revelations—such as 2017 audio tapes released by journalist Michael Wolff, in which Epstein described himself as Trump’s “closest friend”—suggests a closer connection than Trump has acknowledged.

The fallout from the story has deepened divisions within Trump’s political coalition. While Vice President JD Vance and some allies have defended Trump, dismissing the Journal’s report as “complete and utter bullshit,” others in the conservative movement view the administration’s reluctance to release Epstein files as a betrayal. The issue has dominated political discourse, with some Republicans warning that the controversy could impact voter turnout in upcoming midterms. As the debate rages on, the Wall Street Journal’s revelations have cast new light on Trump’s past ties to Epstein, ensuring that the financier’s shadow continues to loom over the administration.