Trump calls for Epstein testimony release and sues Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal reported in the evening on July 17 that Trump sent Epstein a lewd, cryptic letter for his 50th birthday. Trump called the birthday letter a "FAKE" and vowed to sue in a July 17 Truth Social post – a promise he made good on the next day.
Trump has long denied any wrongdoing in his friendship with Epstein, which reportedly ended more than a decade ago.
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Still, within a few hours of the news report's publication, the president also indicated his administration would seek to release testimony tied to Epstein's federal sex-trafficking case, which was still pending when Epstein was found dead in a jail cell in 2019. The Justice Department asked a Manhattan court to unseal the grand jury transcripts tied to Epstein's indictment the next day.
It was a partial about-face for Trump, after his Justice Department released a memo July 7 saying no further Epstein disclosure was warranted. But it's not clear what portion of the government's Epstein files are taken up by that testimony.
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Finally, it remains to be seen whether Trump's base can be satisfied after the administration's top officials spent years suggesting that there are hidden government secrets on Epstein − and that Trump, if re-elected, would reveal them.
Here's the latest on the Trump administration and Epstein:
Wall Street Journal report: 'We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.'
The Wall Street Journal report describes an album of letters that Epstein's long-time girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell – who is appealing her 2021 conviction for trafficking a minor to Epstein – put together for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003. The birthday was just a few months after Trump was quoted in a New York Magazine story calling Epstein a "terrific guy" and "a lot of fun to be with."
The letter that the Wall Street Journal says is from Trump – which he denies – contains typewritten dialogue between "Donald" and "Jeffrey," and at a later point "Trump." In the dialogue "Donald" says, "We have certain things in common, Jeffrey" and that, "Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?" The dialogue ends with "Trump" saying, "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret."
The dialogue is encased within a seemingly hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, the Journal reported. The letter includes a pair of arcs denoting the woman's breasts, and a "Donald" squiggly signature mimicking pubic hair, the newspaper said.
USA TODAY could not verify the details or origin of the letter.
"These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures," Trump posted at night on July 17 on Truth Social. On July 18, the president sued the Wall Street Journal's publisher, Dow Jones & Company, as well as its owner, Rupert Murdoch, alleging the story amounted to libel and slander.
Trump's friendship with Epstein ruptured around 2004. Trump hasn't explained why, but a 2019 Washington Post story describes a power struggle the two men had that year over an oceanfront Palm Beach mansion. In 2008, Epstein was convicted of a sex offense involving minors.
Trump's reluctant Epstein concession. Will it be enough?
Even Republican allies have pressured the president this week over the Epstein files.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said in a July 15 interview with right-wing media personality Benny Johnson that the government "should put everything out there and let the people decide."
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, co-sponsored legislation earlier this week to release the government's Epstein records.
Trump relented – at least somewhat – late July 17, hours after the Wall Street Journal report.
More: What did reported birthday letter to Epstein say? Why Trump threatens to sue WSJ
"Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval," Trump posted on Truth Social.
The next day, Bondi's second-in-command, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, made that request to a New York federal court.
It's clear the president is hoping his Epstein-focused followers will now move on.
"If there was a 'smoking gun' on Epstein, why didn't the Dems, who controlled the 'files' for four years, and had Garland and Comey in charge, use it? BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTHING!!!" Trump posted July 18 on Truth Social, referring to former Attorney General Merrick Garland, who served under President Joe Biden, and former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired in 2017 following an investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign.
This story has been updated with additional information.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's no good, very Epstein week: What to know
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