18-07-2025
Donald Trump's Drawings Under Scrutiny Over Epstein Birthday Letter
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A number of drawings produced by President Donald Trump have resurfaced after it was reported that he sent a "bawdy" letter and sketch to Jeffrey Epstein to mark his 50th birthday.
Trump previously sold a number of his drawings at charity auctions. One sketch of the Empire State Building bearing Trump's signature was sold at an auction in Florida around 1995, and put up for sale again in 2017, according to The Guardian.
Trump also produced a signed drawing of the New York skyline in 2003 for the Capuchin Food Pantry's benefit Doodle for Hunger. It was later resold by the auction house Sotheby's.
Meanwhile, in his 2008 book Trump Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success, he wrote: "Each year I donate an autographed doodle to the Doodle for Hunger auction at Tavern on the Green."
And in his 2008 book, "Never Give Up," he wrote, "Each year I donate an autographed doodle" — Andrew Bates (@AndrewBatesNC) July 18, 2025
Why It Matters
The Wall Street Journal reported this week that a letter bearing Trump's name was among "dozens" of birthday notes that Epstein's longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, collected from the financier's family and friends as a 50th birthday gift.
The Journal said that the letter bearing Trump's name is dated 2003 and is said to feature several lines of typewritten text surrounded by the outline of a naked woman, sketched in marker.
Trump loves to draw. Just saying — Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@AdamKinzinger) July 18, 2025
Speaking to Journal, Trump denied any involvemen, saying: "This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story. I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women. It's not my language. It's not my words."
He added on Truth Social: "The Wall Street Journal printed a FAKE letter, supposedly to Epstein. These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures. I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn't print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I'm going to sue his ass off, and that of his third rate newspaper. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Newsweek contacted the White House and Wall Street Journal for comment outside of regular working hours.
President Donald Trump speaking in the White House in Washington D.C. earlier this week.
President Donald Trump speaking in the White House in Washington D.C. earlier this week.
Anna Moneymaker/GETTY
This is a developing story. More to follow.
