Epstein’s Full ‘Birthday Book’ Has Been Released. Here’s What’s Inside
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released a trove of letters from a birthday book made for the 50th birthday of late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
The book includes notes bearing the names of an array of wealthy and powerful people, including a lewd letter and drawing alleged to have been written by President Donald Trump. The president has repeatedly denied writing the letter and sued the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report its existence, for defamation.
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It also contains well-wishes purported to be from former U.S. president Bill Clinton and the current British ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson. Clinton, Mandelson and Trump were listed as “friends” in the book.
The 238-page bound book had allegedly been given to Epstein as a 50th birthday present by his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.
Its contents had been the subject of increasing public and political interest since the Wall Street Journal reported Trump’s alleged contribution. “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women,” he told the Journal at the time. “It’s not my language. It’s not my words.”
The President has sought to play down his connection to Epstein over the years. He has said consistently that he broke off his friendship long before any allegations of Epstein’s crimes came to light.
But his Administration has faced criticism for its refusal to release the so-called “Epstein files”—documents related to the various law enforcement investigations into Epstein’s crimes—after many within Trump’s inner circle claimed for years that their contents would expose serious crimes by powerful people.
The book was released by the Epstein estate in response to a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee for a wide range of documents, including the birthday book, Epstein’s will, his 2008 nonprosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida, and financial documents.
The book was separated into sections for family, friends, girlfriends and assistants.
Here are some excerpts from Epstein’s birthday book:
A lewd letter bearing Trump’s name
Included in the birthday book is the letter to Epstein purportedly from Trump, which Trump has repeatedly denied writing. When the Wall Street Journal originally reported on the letter in July, Trump sued the Journal, its publisher, and two reporters over the article.
The note shows the outline of what appears to be a naked woman, and within the outline, a birthday note that reads, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Below the drawing is what appears to be Trump’s signature.
Trump declined to comment on the release on Tuesday, calling it a “dead issue.”
The White House responded to a request for comment from TIME by sharing a statement posted by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on X on Monday afternoon.
“As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” she wrote. “President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation.”
A message from Bill Clinton
Former President Clinton was also listed as a “friend” in the birthday book, with a note attached.
“It’s reassuring isn’t it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing … and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends.”
Clinton has denied having any personal knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Last month, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Clinton to give testimony, along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, and six former U.S. attorneys general, including Merrick Garland and William Barr. Clinton is set to testify on Oct. 14.
TIME has reached out to Clinton for comment.
A joke about Trump
A separate letter in the birthday book also references Trump, reportedly sent by Joel Pashcow, a businessman and reported longtime member of Trump’s Florida Mar-a-Lago resort.
It consists of a photograph of Epstein and friends holding an oversized check for $22,500 with an imitation of Trump’s signature on it, suggesting it had been mocked up to appear as if it were a check written by Trump.
There is partially redacted writing below the image that reads: “Jeffrey showing early talents with money + women! Sells ‘fully depreciated’ [redacted] to Donald Trump for $22,500.”
The caption continued that Epstein “showed early ‘people skills’ too. Even though I handled the deal I didn’t get any of the money on the girl!”
The photo includes what appears to be a young woman with her face redacted.
TIME has reached out to Pashcow for comment.
Peter Mandelson’s ‘best pal’
Peter Mandelson, currently the British Ambassador to the United States, references Epstein as “my best pal” in his note to Epstein. His entry covered 10 pages in total of the book, a storybook tale of their friendship interspersed with photographs.
“Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call ‘mysterious’ parachuted into my life,” the note begins. It later says: “But wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal!”
A representative for Mandelson told the BBC that he “has long been clear that he very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein.”
TIME has reached out to the British Embassy for comment.
A striking image
Though much of the book shows or says incredibly lewd comments about women, one drawing stands out. The drawing includes a sketch of Epstein giving balloons to young girls on one side, with Epstein receiving a massage from four women on the other side. One of the women has Epstein’s initials, “J.E.” tattooed on her with a heart around it.
In the background, the jet that Epstein took to the island where he carried out much of his worst abuse is pictured. The jet later became known as the “Lolita Express.”
