A US congressional panel has released a redacted copy of an alleged birthday book given to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 celebrating his fiftieth birthday.
The book was released alongside a trove of documents that include the late convicted paedophile financier's will and his personal address book, which holds contacts comprising royalty, politicians, celebrities, and models.
This 238-page book contains messages and photos from many of Epstein's acquaintances, including a letter carrying a signature that resembles that of US President Donald Trump, who has denied ever writing the birthday note.
Epstein, a well-connected financier and convicted sex offender, was found dead by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
What was released and why now?
The House Oversight Committee issued a legal summons last month for the executors of Epstein's estate to produce various documents, including the birthday book featuring Trump’s purported note.
Subsequent to this summons, attorneys for the estate provided the requested documents, leading to the release of the birthday book that also included Epstein's will, contact list entries from 1990 to 2019, and a non-prosecution agreement signed by him.
How did we get here?
The Trump administration faced growing pressure to release the so-called Epstein files in their entirety, with calls coming even from Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) base. Reports indicated that Trump's attorney general informed him in May that his name appeared in records related to the investigations into Epstein.
Although Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing concerning Epstein, their friendship in the 1990s and early 2000s raised questions. During the 2024 election campaign, Trump expressed openness to releasing more information but later retreated, as the DOJ and FBI stated that no further material would be released.
What did Trump allegedly write?
The alleged entry from Trump contains a signed note outlined by a sketch of a woman's body, ending with the line: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret. This note describes an imagined conversation between Trump and Epstein about life's truths, which the White House has denied was penned by Trump.
Who else was named in the 'birthday book'?
The released entries, categorized under friends, business, science, and Brooklyn, listed names but redacted those categorized under family and girlfriends. People named are not accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
The book includes a note that appears to have been written by former US President Bill Clinton, who described Epstein as possessing a childlike curiosity and a drive to make a difference. Clinton's office has not commented on the release.
Another noteworthy entry was from Lord Peter Mandelson, who referred to Epstein as my best pal and detailed interactions with some of Epstein's acquaintances. Meanwhile, an anonymous woman's entry indicates that her relationship with Epstein allowed her to meet prominent figures, including Prince Andrew, a claim he has denied concerning any misconduct.
What has the reaction been?
The release has drawn responses from members of Congress, with criticism aimed at Democrats for allegedly politicizing the information from the Epstein estate. Vice-President JD Vance argued that Democrats are crafting fake scandals to smear Trump.
As this information gains traction, calls for full, unredacted releases continued to mount, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding Epstein's extensive network and the implications for those associated with him.
