World Desk 

U.S. President Donald Trump is facing fresh controversy over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein after The Wall Street Journal reported on a letter allegedly written by Trump and included in Epstein’s 2003 birthday album. The letter, described as sexually suggestive and accompanied by a drawing of a nude woman, has sparked backlash and further complicated Trump’s efforts to manage the fallout from the long-running Epstein investigation.

Trump has denied writing the letter, calling it “false, malicious, and defamatory,” and vowed to sue the newspaper. “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures,” Trump said in a lengthy social media post. He also claimed to have contacted WSJ owner Rupert Murdoch and editor Emma Tucker to protest the publication.

The controversy comes amid growing frustration within Trump’s administration over the stalled release of promised Epstein case records. Attorney General Pam Bondi, under pressure from lawmakers and Trump supporters, now says she will seek court approval to release grand jury information—though other investigative materials will remain sealed.

The Journal reported that the letter was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday, years before his 2006 arrest and long before his relationship with Trump ended. Trump’s Vice President JD Vance criticized the report, questioning its authenticity and accusing the newspaper of publishing it without proper verification.

The administration’s reversal on transparency has angered Trump’s political base. Supporters who had long demanded disclosure of Epstein’s alleged elite connections feel betrayed. In response, Trump blamed Democrats and former U.S. officials, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden, for creating what he called a “hoax.”

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Tensions within the administration have grown, with reports of a dispute between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino over the handling of the files. The White House has ruled out appointing a special counsel to further investigate the Epstein case.

Earlier Thursday, House Democrats used procedural tactics to delay a $9.4 billion spending rollback bill, demanding a vote on releasing Epstein-related documents. Some Republicans proposed a resolution supporting the release of credible Epstein files as a compromise.

Trump’s ties to Epstein, though widely documented, have not resulted in any accusations of misconduct against the president. A 1992 video shows Trump and Epstein socializing at Mar-a-Lago, surrounded by young women. Trump has downplayed the relationship, saying he distanced himself from Epstein over 15 years ago.

Previously released documents include a 2016 deposition in which one Epstein accuser mentioned visiting Trump’s Atlantic City casino but made no direct allegations against him.

Source: Agency