The White House said on Tuesday that it would support a forensic analysis of a letter that has stirred new controversy. The document, made public by House Democrats this week, is said to have been written more than 20 years ago and linked to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019.
The letter appears in what is being called a “birthday book” that once belonged to Epstein. It contains a sketch of a woman’s body and a note signed with a name resembling Donald Trump’s. Democrats in the House of Representatives released the letter, saying it raised questions about Trump’s past ties to Epstein.
The White House, however, quickly rejected the idea that the letter was real. Officials said the signature did not belong to Trump and that the style of writing did not match his known manner of speaking. Trump himself also denied having anything to do with the document. Speaking to reporters, he said, “That’s not my language. It’s nonsense.”
White House and Allies Deny the Letter’s Authenticity
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s spokeswoman, said the White House welcomed the idea of a forensic review to prove the document was not genuine. She stressed that Trump did not write or sign the letter, and she dismissed the idea that he had also signed a separate check linked to Epstein.
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Leavitt pointed out that Trump’s signature is one of the most recognizable in the world and has been consistent for decades. According to her, the birthday letter and other documents being circulated are attempts by Democrats to damage the president.
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky who is leading the congressional investigation into Epstein, said he believed Trump’s denial. He told reporters that if the president says the signature is not his, he accepts that explanation. At the same time, other lawmakers, including Republican Representative Thomas Massie, said the handwriting looked similar to Trump’s and that an expert should take a closer look.
Massie explained that while he was not a handwriting expert, the signature looked familiar to him. He added that a forensic review would be the best way to settle the debate. Despite this, Comer said his panel was unlikely to spend money or resources examining a signature from so long ago.
Public Suspicion and Political Tension
The release of the birthday letter has once again turned the spotlight on Epstein’s crimes and the lingering questions about who might have been close to him. Although Trump has said he cut ties with Epstein years before the financier’s arrest and death, the controversy continues to be politically damaging.
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A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that a large part of the American public remains doubtful about the Epstein case. Sixty-five percent of people surveyed said they believe the government is hiding information about Epstein’s death, which was officially ruled a suicide. Seventy-two percent said they think details about Epstein’s client list are being withheld.
The poll also showed how Trump’s handling of the matter is viewed by voters. Only 17 percent of the overall public approved of how he has dealt with the issue. Among Republicans, however, approval rose to 44 percent, up from 35 percent in a similar survey two months ago.
Meanwhile, a small group of Republicans has joined Democrats in calling for all Epstein-related documents to be released. They argue that the public has the right to know the full story. The White House, on the other hand, has accused Democrats of using the Epstein case as a political weapon. Leavitt said the focus on the disputed letter is nothing more than an attempt to distract from Trump’s record in office.
Trump himself has said he has not considered meeting with victims of Epstein’s crimes. He told reporters he strongly opposed any kind of abuse but had not thought about speaking directly with survivors.
The dispute over the birthday letter has added another layer of tension to an already sensitive issue. Forensic experts may now be asked to determine whether the signature is authentic. Until then, the debate over whether the letter is real or a hoax is likely to remain a point of fierce argument in Washington.