Democrats unveil an allegedly written letter by Trump to Epstein

The US House of Representatives has released a batch of documents from the investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, igniting a political firestorm and raising questions about the relationship between Epstein and former US President Donald Trump.

The documents, published by the House Oversight Committee, include Epstein's will, entries from his address books, and a birthday book compiled by his former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. The committee, chaired by Republican James Comer, ordered the Justice Department to provide the records, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

The case has become a political lightning rod for the Trump administration. Trump, who has consistently denied having a friendship with Epstein, has faced pressure due to their past relationship. The contents of a letter, allegedly written by Trump over 20 years ago, regarding their friendship were already known. However, the White House has stated that Trump did not sign the letter, and the sketch was not his.

The letter, which includes a sketch of a woman and a fictional dialogue between "Donald" and "Jeffrey" celebrating Epstein's 50th birthday, has caused controversy. It includes the phrase "A friend is something wonderful" and is signed with Trump's name in the place of a beard.

The publication of these documents has sparked protests. Demonstrators held signs in support of Epstein's victims near a press conference held by US representatives outside the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on September 3, 2025.

The release of the documents has also led to accusations and counter-accusations between the Republican and Democratic members of the committee. Comer has criticized the Democrats, accusing them of selectively choosing documents and politicizing information received from Epstein's estate administrators. In response, Democratic members of the House have sent a letter to the committee, alleging that the White House has not been fully cooperative with the investigation.

The case has divided public opinion, with some Trump supporters initially expressing disappointment with the administration's failure to deliver on promises regarding the Epstein case. However, many of these critics later rallied behind Trump following a report by the Wall Street Journal, which Trump has since sued for at least $10 billion (around €8.5 billion) in damages. The newspaper is owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who also operates Trump's favored news network, Fox.

The investigation into Epstein's sexual offences and trafficking of numerous girls and young women, as well as his connections to prominent figures, continues to unfold, with the release of these documents providing a glimpse into the complex web of relationships and allegations surrounding the case.

Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, has announced further legal action on the online platform X (formerly Twitter). The APA - Austria Presse Agentur eG, the largest national news and press agency in Austria, based in Vienna, continues to cover the developments in this ongoing saga.