Fact Check: "Donald Trump allegedly sent Jeffrey Epstein an erotic letter inside the outline of a naked woman for his 50th birthday back in 2003."
What We Know
A report from the Wall Street Journal states that a letter sent by Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003 included a drawing of a naked woman. The letter reportedly featured an outline of a woman's breasts, with Trump's name signed in a suggestive manner. The letter was part of a collection of birthday messages compiled for Epstein and was described as having typewritten text surrounding the drawing, concluding with a birthday wish that read: "Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret" (CNN).
In response to the report, Trump has publicly denied the allegations, stating on Truth Social, "I don’t draw pictures" (New York Times). However, he has a history of creating and donating drawings for charity events, which raises questions about the credibility of his denial (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that Trump sent an erotic letter to Epstein is supported by the reporting from multiple reputable sources, including the Wall Street Journal and CNN. These outlets have detailed the contents of the letter and its context within a collection of birthday messages for Epstein. The reliability of these sources is generally high, given their established journalistic standards.
However, Trump's rebuttal introduces an element of doubt. He has a history of denying reports that later turn out to be true, which complicates the assessment of his denial in this case (New York Times). Additionally, while Trump's denial that he "doesn't draw pictures" may seem straightforward, it contrasts with evidence of his past artistic endeavors, including sketches he has donated to charity (New York Times). This inconsistency suggests that while he may not have personally created the drawing in question, it does not definitively prove that he did not send a letter with such content.
Furthermore, the context of the letter being part of a collection for Epstein, which included contributions from various individuals, adds complexity to the narrative. The involvement of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, in soliciting these letters also raises questions about the nature of their relationships (HuffPost).
Conclusion
The claim that Donald Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein an erotic letter for his 50th birthday is Partially True. While there is credible reporting confirming the existence of a letter with suggestive content attributed to Trump, his denial and the context surrounding the letter's creation leave room for interpretation. The evidence suggests that while the letter likely exists, the extent of Trump's involvement in its creation remains uncertain.
Sources
- Trump's name on 2003 birthday letter to Epstein, Wall ...
- Trump Says He Doesn't 'Draw Pictures.' But Many of His ...
- Wall Street Journal: Birthday letter to Epstein bore Trump's ...
- Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein 'bawdy' 50th birthday letter: WSJ
- Trump Once Gave Epstein A Racy Birthday Card With A Strange ...
- WSJ says Trump wrote racy birthday letter to Epstein. The ...
- How well did Trump and Epstein really know each other? A ...
- Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein 'bawdy' 50th birthday letter: WSJ
