White House Denies Trump-Epstein Letter as “Fake” Amid Defamation Threats

The White House is forcefully denying the authenticity of a letter allegedly sent by former President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. Released by House Democrats on Monday, the letter features a nude sketch and ends with the phrase, “may every day be a wonderful secret.” Its release has reignited controversy over Trump’s past associations with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019.

White House officials insist the letter is a forgery, pointing to discrepancies in the signature. “President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt. She cited a Wall Street Journal article that reportedly undermines the letter’s authenticity and confirmed that Trump’s legal team is preparing to sue for defamation.

Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich also responded sharply on social media, calling out News Corp — which owns both The Wall Street Journal and Fox News — writing on X: “DEFAMATION! Time for @newscorp to open that checkbook.” The administration appears ready to take legal action against multiple media outlets over coverage of the letter.

Vice President JD Vance called the letter a politically motivated hoax. “They don’t care about Epstein’s victims. This is just another fake scandal,” he said, accusing Democrats of trying to damage Trump with manufactured controversy ahead of the 2026 elections.

House Oversight Committee members say the letter was among a batch of documents handed over by Epstein’s estate. The Trump administration is now suing The Wall Street Journal, labeling the report “false, malicious, and defamatory,” as pressure mounts for full transparency in the Epstein case.