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CTV News
15 minutes ago
- CTV News
Trump mired in Epstein controversy as Wall Street Journal reports on 2003 letter
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks to reporters as U.S. President Donald Trump listens, Friday, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Warning: The following story contains graphic content. WASHINGTON — The controversy over U.S. President Donald Trump 's handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation entered a new dimension Thursday as his administration struggles to make good on its promises to release details on the sex trafficking case involving a one-time friend of the now-president. Trump promised a lawsuit after The Wall Street Journal described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump's name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein's 50th birthday. Trump denied writing the letter, calling it 'false, malicious, and defamatory.' It came after Trump in recent days has berated as 'weaklings' supporters vying for more records from the Epstein probe, after years of courting political support from those who have stoked claims of a coverup in the case to protect wealthy friends of Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 awaiting trial on federal charges of trafficking of underage girls. Trump has also shielded his attorney general from being questioned about the case after she walked back claims of the existence of a 'client list' of elites who participated in Epstein's crimes, and has even taken to claiming without evidence that files were doctored by Democrats. In an administration that prides itself on changing the narrative on negative storylines, the Epstein saga has had remarkable staying power, thanks in part to infighting at high levels of government, Trump's blistering criticism of his own base and the head-scratching mystery of why documents his own administration promised to unlock will remain buried — seemingly for good. Thursday's disclosure — coupled with frustration from Trump-allied lawmakers on Capitol Hill — pushed Trump to abruptly reverse course and direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to try to make some of the documents in the case public. Bondi said she would seek court permission Friday to release grand jury information, but it would require a judge's approval, and she and Trump were silent on the additional evidence collected by federal law enforcement in the sprawling investigation that Bondi last week announced she would not release. A newly revealed letter to Epstein The letter revealed by The Wall Street Journal was reportedly collected by disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as part of a birthday album for Epstein years before the wealthy financier was first arrested in 2006 and subsequently had a falling-out with Trump. The letter bearing Trump's name includes text framed by the outline of what appears to be a hand-drawn naked woman and ends with, 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,' according to the newspaper. The outlet described the contents of the letter but did not publish a photo showing it entirely. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and convicted a year later on charges that she helped Epstein lure girls to be sexually abused. Trump slammed the story in a lengthy social media post Thursday night, saying he spoke to both to the paper's owner, Rupert Murdoch, and its top editor, Emma Tucker, and told them the letter was 'fake.' Trump promised to sue the paper over the story, saying: 'These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures.' U.S. Vice President JD Vance said The Wall Street Journal '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?' he wrote on X. Trump tries to move on The Trump administration has been struggling for nearly two weeks to contain the fallout of the Justice Department's announcement that no more Epstein evidence in the government's possession would be released to the public despite promises of transparency from Bondi. The Justice Department's reversal on the Epstein files not only angered Trump supporters but touched off a testy exchange at the White House last week between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino that neither official has publicly addressed. The Justice Department has yet to provide a full accounting of its reversal months after Bondi handed out binders to conservative influencers at the White House that read the 'Epstein Files: Phase 1' and 'the most transparent administration.' Bondi earlier this week refused to answer questions from reporters about the Epstein files and her relationship with Bongino. The White House on Thursday closed the door on calls for a further inquiry into the Epstein investigation, saying the president would not be recommending the appointment of a special counsel. Even though his administration for months had hyped the expected release of more documents, Trump slammed his own supporters earlier this week for their furor over the Epstein files saga. Trump called it a 'hoax' and tried to place blame on Democrats, accusing former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as former FBI Director James Comey — without evidence — of making up such documents. Earlier Thursday, the controversy over the Epstein files had snarled the House's efforts to pass a bill that claws back $9.4 billion in federal spending, as Democrats used procedural moves to force votes on releasing the documents in tandem with the package. That frustrated House Republicans, who tried to forge a solution that could include a resolution supporting the release of 'credible' files pertaining to Epstein and his activities. Trump is no stranger to scrutiny Trump himself has faced years of scrutiny over his own private life. Last year, for instance, he was convicted of felony charges in New York in connection with hush money payments meant to silence an adult film star's sex claims ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the relationship. And Trump's ties to Epstein have been well-documented, though the president has not been accused of misconduct in connection with their social relationship. Video footage unearthed by NBC News following Epstein's federal indictment in 2019 showed the two chatting at a party at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in 1992. The video, recorded at a time when Trump was newly divorced, shows him surrounded by young women, whom NBC identified as cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills. It also depicts the two men standing and gesturing at the women on the dance floor. 'I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,' Trump said when the video emerged. 'He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling-out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years.' Previously released files included a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted spending several hours with Epstein at Trump's Atlantic City casino but didn't say if she actually met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing. Eric Tucker And Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press Associated Press reporters Seung Min Kim and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
Vancouver Sun
29 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
Trump mired in Epstein controversy as Wall Street Journal reports on 2003 letter
WASHINGTON (AP) — The controversy over President Donald Trump 's handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation entered a new dimension Thursday as his administration struggles to make good on its promises to release details on the sex trafficking case involving a one-time friend of the now-president. Trump promised a lawsuit after The Wall Street Journal described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump's name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein's 50th birthday. Trump denied writing the letter, calling it 'false, malicious, and defamatory.' It came after Trump in recent days has berated as 'weaklings' supporters vying for more records from the Epstein probe, after years of courting political support from those who have stoked claims of a coverup in the case to protect wealthy friends of Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 awaiting trial on federal charges of trafficking of underage girls. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Trump has also shielded his attorney general from being questioned about the case after she walked back claims of the existence of a 'client list' of elites who participated in Epstein's crimes, and has even taken to claiming without evidence that files were doctored by Democrats. In an administration that prides itself on changing the narrative on negative storylines, the Epstein saga has had remarkable staying power, thanks in part to infighting at high levels of government, Trump's blistering criticism of his own base and the head-scratching mystery of why documents his own administration promised to unlock will remain buried — seemingly for good. Thursday's disclosure — coupled with frustration from Trump-allied lawmakers on Capitol Hill — pushed Trump to abruptly reverse course and direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to try to make some of the documents in the case public. Bondi said she would seek court permission Friday to release grand jury information, but it would require a judge's approval, and she and Trump were silent on the additional evidence collected by federal law enforcement in the sprawling investigation that Bondi last week announced she would not release. The letter revealed by The Wall Street Journal was reportedly collected by disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as part of a birthday album for Epstein years before the wealthy financier was first arrested in 2006 and subsequently had a falling-out with Trump. The letter bearing Trump's name includes text framed by the outline of what appears to be a hand-drawn naked woman and ends with, 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,' according to the newspaper. The outlet described the contents of the letter but did not publish a photo showing it entirely. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and convicted a year later on charges that she helped Epstein lure girls to be sexually abused. Trump slammed the story in a lengthy social media post Thursday night, saying he spoke to both to the paper's owner, Rupert Murdoch, and its top editor, Emma Tucker, and told them the letter was 'fake.' Trump promised to sue the paper over the story, saying: 'These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures.' Vice President JD Vance said The Wall Street Journal '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?' he wrote on X. Forgive my language but this story is complete and utter bullshit. 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? The Trump administration has been struggling for nearly two weeks to contain the fallout of the Justice Department's announcement that no more Epstein evidence in the government's possession would be released to the public despite promises of transparency from Bondi. The Justice Department's reversal on the Epstein files not only angered Trump supporters but touched off a testy exchange at the White House last week between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino that neither official has publicly addressed. The Justice Department has yet to provide a full accounting of its reversal months after Bondi handed out binders to conservative influencers at the White House that read the 'Epstein Files: Phase 1' and 'the most transparent administration.' Bondi earlier this week refused to answer questions from reporters about the Epstein files and her relationship with Bongino. The White House on Thursday closed the door on calls for a further inquiry into the Epstein investigation, saying the president would not be recommending the appointment of a special counsel. Even though his administration for months had hyped the expected release of more documents, Trump slammed his own supporters earlier this week for their furor over the Epstein files saga. Trump called it a 'hoax' and tried to place blame on Democrats, accusing former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as former FBI Director James Comey — without evidence — of making up such documents. Earlier Thursday, the controversy over the Epstein files had snarled the House's efforts to pass a bill that claws back $9.4 billion in federal spending, as Democrats used procedural moves to force votes on releasing the documents in tandem with the package. That frustrated House Republicans, who tried to forge a solution that could include a resolution supporting the release of 'credible' files pertaining to Epstein and his activities. Trump himself has faced years of scrutiny over his own private life. Last year, for instance, he was convicted of felony charges in New York in connection with hush money payments meant to silence an adult film star's sex claims ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the relationship. And Trump's ties to Epstein have been well-documented, though the president has not been accused of misconduct in connection with their social relationship. Video footage unearthed by NBC News following Epstein's federal indictment in 2019 showed the two chatting at a party at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in 1992. The video, recorded at a time when Trump was newly divorced, shows him surrounded by young women, whom NBC identified as cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills. It also depicts the two men standing and gesturing at the women on the dance floor. 'I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,' Trump said when the video emerged. 'He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling-out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years.' Previously released files included a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted spending several hours with Epstein at Trump's Atlantic City casino but didn't say if she actually met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing.
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
Trump tells Justice to seek release of Epstein grand jury testimony
Published Jul 18, 2025 • 6 minute read President Donald Trump reacts to a question about Jeffrey Epstein during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on July 8. MUST CREDIT: Tom Brenner/For The Washington Post Photo by Tom Brenner / For the Washington Post President Donald Trump late Thursday told the Justice Department to seek the release of 'all pertinent' grand jury testimony in the sex trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein as he tried to tamp down growing political outcry over his administration's handling of the case files. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It was not immediately clear to which records he was referring in his social media post. Federal grand jury testimony is by law confidential, and Trump said in the post that the release is 'subject to court approval.' Records from a state grand jury that investigated Epstein in 2006 were released last year by a Florida judge. Trump's announcement came minutes after he pledged to sue the Wall Street Journal over its Thursday evening report, which said that he contributed a drawing of a naked woman to Epstein's 50th birthday album in 2003. The letter concluded with 'Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret,' according to the Journal report. 'President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'The Press has to learn to be truthful, and not rely on sources that probably don't even exist.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Wall Street Journal declined to comment on Trump's lawsuit threat. The Trump administration earlier this month announced it would not release the files from the case against Epstein, who was federally charged in 2019 with sex trafficking minors. The court records released last year showed that Florida prosecutors in 2006 heard testimony that he had assaulted multiple teenage girls. The choice not to release the files outraged parts of Trump's base, which believes the government is shielding high-profile people involved in the criminal enterprise, and trusted the president to treat the case seriously in a broader fight against what they see as the corrupt elite. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she would act Friday: 'We are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts,' she wrote on X. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The grand jury testimony would constitute only a fraction of the evidence amassed by federal authorities – material broadly referred to by Bondi and others as the 'Epstein files.' Bondi said earlier this year that she was going to review a list of Epstein's clients. Her department later said there was 'no incriminating 'client list.'' The resulting political backlash has reverberated on Capitol Hill, with congressional Democrats delaying Trump's efforts to slash $9 billion in federal spending to force votes on releasing the Epstein files. The votes would put their GOP counterparts in a delicate situation, caught between constituents demanding more transparency and a reluctant administration. As the Wall Street Journal report circulated online Thursday evening, some prominent Trump allies who have been critical of the White House's handling of the case in recent days rushed to defend the president. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm calling bullshit on this Trump 'birthday letter' to Epstein,' Laura Loomer wrote on X. 'It's totally fake.' I'm calling bullshit on this Trump 'birthday letter' to Epstein. It's totally fake. Everyone who actually KNOWS President Trump knows he doesn't type letters. He writes notes in big black me, I would know. He doesn't use email and he doesn't type write.… — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) July 18, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Even Trump's ally-turned-critic Elon Musk, who previously posted that Trump was listed in the Epstein files and continued calling for their release as late as Thursday night, downplayed the Journal report. 'It really doesn't sound like something Trump would say,' Musk wrote of the account. The Washington Post has not independently verified the letter described by the Journal. Trump, for years, has sued news outlets over what he deems unfair coverage. Many of his suits have been dismissed, including claims against CNN, the New York Times and The Washington Post over columns and coverage that tied his 2016 campaign to Russian election interference. In his second term, Trump has had more success, reaching hefty out-of-court settlements with ABC and Paramount. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Journal's report said pages from the leather-bound birthday album were examined by Justice Department officials who investigated Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, an Epstein associate who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping him sexually abuse girls. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment. The FBI declined to comment. In a memo last week announcing that no further disclosures of Epstein materials 'would be appropriate or warranted,' the Justice Department and the FBI said materials in the case were under court seal to protect victims. The sealed materials did not implicate any additional people in wrongdoing, the memo stated. 'We found no basis to revisit the disclosure of those materials,' the report concluded. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bondi stood by that assessment as recently as Tuesday, saying the memo 'speaks for itself.' The fight over the Epstein files has presented a challenge for Trump in part because he and some of his closest allies have spent years inflaming public suspicions about the case. Epstein died before his case was adjudicated – leaving many in the public wondering if other powerful people in his orbit were guilty of similar crimes. His 2019 death while in federal custody was ruled a suicide. Trump in recent years has given a platform to his supporters who have theorized, without evidence, that prominent Democrats were involved in Epstein's crimes or culpable in his death. Those suspicions have landed on fertile ground, with a large share of the American public primed to mistrust government institutions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Recent polling shows that a significant majority of Americans from both parties believe the government is withholding information about the case. The polling also shows, however, that not many voters have been following the issue closely, although search traffic shows attention has increased sharply in recent days. For nearly two decades, starting in the 1980s, Trump and Epstein, both wealthy businessmen, partied together at their homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, often surrounded by models, cheerleaders and beautiful women. In a New York magazine profile of Epstein in 2002, years before he was accused of criminal conduct, Trump said he had known Epstein for 15 years. 'Terrific guy,' Trump said at the time. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Those words came back to haunt Trump during his first term in 2019, when Epstein was charged with sex trafficking, and then again this summer, as the case drew renewed attention. 'Anyone who has paid attention to Epstein-related matters could not be surprised by any information related to the closeness of their relationship,' said Jack Scarola, who represented several teenage girls who sued Epstein. 'They clearly socialized with one another on a fairly regular basis.' They had a falling-out several years before Epstein pleaded guilty in state court on a prostitution solicitation charge in 2008. Trump has said that he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago but has never said when or why their relationship ruptured. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The reason doesn't make any difference, frankly,' he once said. In 2004, the two men competed against each other to land an oceanfront manse in Palm Beach that was being sold out of bankruptcy. A few months later, local police began investigating allegations that Epstein was sexually abusing minors. 'The island of Palm Beach is a very close-knit community of wealthy people that socialize at the same parties and in the same sphere of influence,' said Spencer Kuvin, who represented the 14-year-old girl who first alerted police to Epstein's sexual abuse. 'They socialized regularly for years and then they stopped.' Kuvin called the Justice Department's decision not to release any more information about the case 'a whitewash.' There were reams of videotape seized from Epstein's homes by the FBI, he said, that have never been publicly explained. 'No one has never talked about what's on that video or who is on that video and what it shows,' he said. 'That evidence exists, and I assume someone at the FBI reviewed it to see if there were any crimes on it.' Read More Toronto & GTA Tennis Toronto & GTA MMA Toronto Maple Leafs
