Fact-Check: "Jeffrey Epstein's friends sent him bawdy letters for a 50th birthday album, one from Trump"
What We Know
In 2003, friends and acquaintances of Jeffrey Epstein compiled a bound album of personalized greetings for his 50th birthday. The existence of this album was revealed in July 2025 through an article in The Wall Street Journal, which stated that it contained "bawdy letters" from various contributors, including Donald Trump. The album was put together by Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein, who solicited contributions that included drawings, photos, and stories from his friends (The Wall Street Journal).
The letter attributed to Trump was described as "bawdy" and featured a typewritten conversation between Trump and Epstein, framed by the outline of a naked woman. The content of the letter included playful banter and crude humor (The Wall Street Journal). However, Trump has publicly denied writing the letter, claiming it is a "fake" and stating, "This is not me. This is a fake thing" (The Wall Street Journal).
The album has been reviewed by officials from the U.S. Justice Department as part of their investigation into Epstein's activities (The Wall Street Journal). Contributors to the album included notable figures such as Bill Clinton and Leon Black, with many expressing regret over their associations with Epstein after the album's details became public (The Wall Street Journal).
Analysis
The claim that Jeffrey Epstein received bawdy letters for his 50th birthday, including one from Donald Trump, is supported by multiple credible sources. The initial report by The Wall Street Journal is a primary source that details the nature of the album and the contributions it contained. The article has been corroborated by other outlets, such as The New York Times and CNBC, which also confirm the existence of the album and the contributions from various high-profile individuals.
However, the reliability of the claim regarding Trump's involvement is complicated by his vehement denial. Trump's assertion that the letter is a fabrication raises questions about the authenticity of the contribution attributed to him. The Wall Street Journal's description of the letter as "bawdy" aligns with the overall characterization of the album, which included both humorous and crude content (The Wall Street Journal).
While the album's existence and the contributions from various individuals are well-documented, Trump's denial introduces uncertainty about the specific content attributed to him. The ongoing legal actions taken by Trump against the Wall Street Journal for defamation further complicate the matter, as they indicate a serious dispute over the portrayal of his involvement (The New York Times).
Conclusion
The claim that Jeffrey Epstein received bawdy letters for his 50th birthday, including one from Donald Trump, is Partially True. The existence of the birthday album and its bawdy nature is well-documented, and Trump's name appears among the contributors. However, his denial of authorship and the subsequent legal actions he has taken against the reporting of this incident cast doubt on the authenticity of the specific letter attributed to him. Therefore, while the claim has a basis in fact, the full context and implications remain contested.
Sources
- Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday greeting album
- Epstein's Estate Includes Book Said to Have Note From Trump
- Jeffrey Epstein's Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album
- Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein 'bawdy' 50th birthday letter: WSJ
- Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album
- Jeffrey Epstein's Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album
- Epstein's birthday book: Here are the names allegedly involved
- Trump-Epstein reported note: What did WSJ article say
