On July 17, 2025, former President Donald Trump fiercely denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming he sent a suggestive 2003 birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein, featuring a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman and his signature.
Trump labeled the letter “fake,” stating it does not reflect his language or behavior, and accused the WSJ of publishing a “scam” story despite his warnings to editor Emma Tucker and owner Rupert Murdoch.
In a Truth Social post, Trump vowed to sue the WSJ, NewsCorp, and Murdoch for defamation, while directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of Epstein-related grand jury testimony.
The report, which cited documents reviewed by the Justice Department, has sparked controversy, with Trump’s allies like JD Vance dismissing it as false, while critics highlight his past ties to Epstein. The WSJ has not published the letter, and its authenticity remains unverified.