Fact-Check: "Trump Once Made Epstein A Racy Birthday Card With A Strange Note, WSJ Reports"
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump created a racy birthday card for Jeffrey Epstein is based on reports from The Wall Street Journal. In 2003, Epstein received a leather-bound album for his 50th birthday, which included letters from various friends, including Trump. One notable letter from Trump featured an outline of a naked woman and a typewritten note, which was described as "bawdy" and "memorable" by sources familiar with the album (source-5).
However, Trump has publicly stated that the letter is a "fake thing" and has filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for defamation regarding their coverage of this letter (source-3). The exact circumstances of how the letter was prepared remain unclear (source-2).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding the claim is mixed. On one hand, multiple reports confirm that Trump did indeed send a letter to Epstein that was included in the birthday album, and the letter's content was described as inappropriate. This is supported by the Wall Street Journal's coverage, which details the nature of the letter and its context within the album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell.
On the other hand, Trump's assertion that the letter is fake raises questions about its authenticity. His lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal indicates that he is contesting the portrayal of the letter, suggesting that he believes it has been misrepresented or taken out of context (source-3). This legal action could imply that there are nuances to the situation that are not fully captured in the media reports.
The reliability of the sources is generally strong, as they come from a reputable publication known for investigative journalism. However, Trump's lawsuit introduces a potential bias, as he may be motivated to discredit any negative portrayal of his relationship with Epstein.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump made a racy birthday card for Epstein is Partially True. While it is confirmed that Trump sent a letter that was included in Epstein's birthday album and that the letter contained inappropriate content, Trump's denial of its authenticity and his subsequent legal actions suggest that the full context and nature of the letter may not be as straightforward as initially presented. Therefore, while the core of the claim holds some truth, the surrounding circumstances complicate the narrative.
Sources
- Jeffrey Epstein's Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday
- Jeffrey Epstein's Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday
- Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Publisher Dow Jones Over Article
- Trump's Letter to Jeffrey Epstein - The Journal
- Jeffrey Epstein's Birthday Book Included Letters From Bill Clinton and Others
