‘Not my phrases’: Trump threatens to sue US daily WSJ over ‘birthday’ note to Epstein; what did the alleged letter say?

Donald Trump has threatened to sue The Wall Street Journal over its report on a letter allegedly bearing his signature in Jeffrey Epstein’s 2003 birthday album, calling the doc “fake.”The leather-bound album, created for Epstein’s fiftieth birthday, has resurfaced in public dialogue after the Journal claimed it reviewed a duplicate that included the letter attributed to Trump. The album was reportedly organised by Ghislaine Maxwell and featured private messages from a number of of Epstein’s distinguished associates.The contents of the album are underneath renewed scrutiny amid latest US justice division investigations into Epstein and Maxwell, who had been convicted for working a decades-long intercourse trafficking ring that exploited underage ladies by manipulation, abuse, and a community of highly effective connections.

Trump denies involvement, threatens lawsuit

In an interview with WSJ on Tuesday, Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the determine. “This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story,” he mentioned. “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.”He additionally warned the paper in opposition to publishing the article. “I’m gonna sue The Wall Street Journal just like I sued everyone else,” he reportedly mentioned.On Thursday, Trump additional expressed his frustration and posted on his Truth Social account, condemning WSJ. He attacked the editor straight, saying: “The Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Emma Tucker, was told directly by Karoline Leavitt, and by President Trump, that the letter was a FAKE, but Emma Tucker didn’t want to hear that. Instead, they are going with a false, malicious, and defamatory story anyway.”The MAGA chief appeared very certain of suing WSJ. “President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly. The Press has to learn to be truthful, and not rely on sources that probably don’t even exist,” he mentioned.

What’s in the letter?

According to The Wall Street Journal, the web page attributed to Trump options a number of strains of typewritten textual content framed by the define of a unadorned lady, drawn in thick black marker.The Journal report says: “A pair of small arcs denotes the woman’s breasts, and the future president’s signature is a squiggly ‘Donald’ below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.”The note is allegedly styled as an imaginary third-person dialog between Trump and Epstein. It ends with the line: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”The origins of the letter stay unclear, and it’s not recognized how the model bearing Trump’s signature was produced, in accordance to WSJ.The doc was reportedly saved alongside birthday messages from different Epstein acquaintances.

‘Complete and utter BS’: JD Vance

Following the publication of the article, US vp JD Vance slammed the piece in a submit on X, writing: “Forgive my language but this story is complete and utter bulls—.” He added, “The WSJ should be ashamed for publishing it. Where is this letter? Would you be shocked to learn they never showed it to us before publishing it? Does anyone honestly believe this sounds like Donald Trump?”

‘Scam perpetuated by the Democrats’

In one other Truth Social submit, Trump requested Attorney General Pam Bondi to take motion, writing: “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”

‘When has President Trump spoken like this?’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt additional pressed on the matter. In a submit on X, she condemned WSJ’s actions: “The WSJ refused to show us the letter and conceded they don’t even have it in their possession when we asked them to verify the alleged document they’re basing their ENTIRE fake story on.”“When has President Trump ever spoken like the conversation alleged in the fake WSJ story? That’s not at all how he speaks or writes, ” she mentioned.

‘I’m going to sue his a** off’

Trump lashed out at businessman Rupert Murdoch as nicely.“The Wall Street Journal printed a FAKE letter, supposedly to Epstein. These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures. I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn’t print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I’m going to sue his a** off, and that of his third rate newspaper. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DJT”

Conspiracy allegations

Speaking to reporters, Trump urged that components of the Epstein information might have been fabricated by Democrats, together with former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and ex-FBI Director James Comey. “I can imagine what they put into files,” Trump mentioned, later referring to the Epstein revelations as a part of “the Jeffrey Epstein hoax” and calling for the FBI to examine what he described as a prison conspiracy in opposition to him.The Journal’s article was revealed shortly after the dismissal of Maurene Comey from the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan. Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, had beforehand helped lead the prosecutions of Epstein and Maxwell.Trump has lengthy denied shut ties to Epstein, stating that he reduce off their friendship earlier than Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. Epstein died in a New York federal jail in August 2019 whereas awaiting trial on little one intercourse trafficking costs. His demise was dominated a suicide. Ghislaine Maxwell is at present serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of serving to procure underage ladies for Epstein.