Trump 'called Epstein the greatest in note inside book he gave to him'
The message was written in a copy of 1997's'Trump: The Art of the Comeback', reported the New York Times, which published a photo of the message.
'To Jeff – You are the greatest!' reads the note, which was signed 'Donald' and dated 'Oct 97', the month it came out.
The newspaper also reported Trump featured in the 'contributors list' – alongside Bill Clinton – for a now-infamous 50th birthday album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein.
The US president is suing the Wall Street Journal for a report claiming the album contained a racy birthday letter suggesting he and Epstein had 'certain things in common'.
Parts of the 2003 album were reportedly examined by Justice Department officials investigating Maxwell and Epstein.
The letter allegedly signed by Trump featured typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appeared to be hand-drawn with permanent marker.
Styled as an imaginary conversation between the pair, the text reads: 'Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything.
'Donald: Yes, there is, but I won't tell you what it is.
'Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is.
'Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.
'Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it.
'Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?
'Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.
'Trump: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.'
The US president denied writing the note or drawing the picture, branding the report a 'fake Wall Street Journal story'.
The New York Times report includes a note from Maxwell to her former lover saying: 'The idea behind this book was simply to gather stories and old photographs to jog your memory about places, people and different events.
'Some of the letters will definitely achieve their intended goal. Some, well… you will have to read to see for yourself.'
Maxwell signed the letter: 'I hope you will derive so much pleasure looking through it as I did putting it together for you. Happy happy birthday. Love Ghislaine.'
Former Victoria's Secret owner Leslie H. Wexner, late Wall Street titan Alan C. Greenberg, and late Nobel-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann also appeared on the list, which is about 50-strong, the newspaper added.
But the Wall Street Journal has reported that the next 'biggest name' in the album was the former US president Bill Clinton.
His note reportedly read: 'It's reassuring isn't it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends.'
A spokesperson for Clinton declined to comment to the Journal, referring to a previous statement saying he was not aware of Epstein's crimes and had cut ties with him more than a decade before his arrest.
Epstein died in prison in 2019 after being arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.
The newspaper also reported that the album's 'friends' section includes a letter from Peter Mandelson, the Labour politician who held a number of major government roles during the Blair and Brown years.
The letter referred to Epstein as 'my best pal' and 'included photos of whiskey and a tropical island', according to the Journal.
A spokesperson for Mandelson declined to comment in response.
Other inclusions reported in the same article were billionaire investor Leon Black, fashion designer Vera Wang and billionaire former Microsoft executive Nathan Myhrvold.
Trump's slander lawsuit targets Rupert Murdoch, two Wall Street Journal reporters, the newspaper's publisher Dow Jones, and News Corp.
Seeking $10 billion or more in damages, it was filed in the southern district of Florida federal court in Miami.
The suit alleges the defendants 'failed to attach the letter, failed to attach the alleged drawing, failed to show proof that President Trump authored or signed any such letter, and failed to explain how this purported letter was obtained'.
'The reason for those failures is because no authentic letter or drawing exists', it claims.
By his own admission, Trump was friendly with Epstein for more than a decade starting in the 1980s.
The future president told New York Magazine in 2002: '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.'
A lawyer for Ms. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking, had no immediate comment.
A spokesman for Mr. Wexner declined to comment to the New York Times.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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