President Donald Trump is facing a firestorm of controversy after House Democrats publicly released what they claim is a birthday card he sent to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein back in 2003. The release comes just weeks after Trump filed a massive $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for first reporting on the alleged birthday greeting.

The scandal erupted in July when The Wall Street Journal published a story claiming that Trump had contributed to Epstein’s 50th birthday book with a letter containing a hand-drawn sketch of a naked woman. The newspaper reported that the message concluded with the line: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

Trump immediately denied any involvement, calling the report “false, malicious, and defamatory” in a post on Truth Social. He insisted that he did not write the letter or draw the picture, threatening legal action against the publication if they went ahead with the story.

Trump’s Furious Response and $10 Billion Lawsuit

True to his word, Trump followed through on his threat and filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its parent company, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. In the Lawsuit, Trump’s legal team described the alleged letter as “nonexistent” and claimed the defendants knew it was fake when they chose to publish the story.

“The supposed letter is a fake and the Defendants knew it when they chose to defame President Trump,” the Lawsuit states deliberately. Trump has consistently maintained his innocence, telling reporters, “It is not my signature, and it’s not the way I speak. And anybody that has covered me for a long time knows that’s not my language. It’s nonsense.”

House Democrats Release the Controversial Image

The controversy reached new heights on Monday, 8 September, when Democrats on the House Oversight Committee decided to make the alleged birthday card public. They released an image showing what appears to be a crude drawing of a naked female figure with Trump’s signature underneath.

The House Oversight Committee released a photo showing a simple line drawing of a nude female figure on what appears to be a birthday card page, with text and a signature that the committee claims belongs to Trump.

The letter was reportedly part of a birthday album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday celebration in 2003. According to reports, the album contained various messages and drawings from different contributors, with Trump’s alleged contribution being among the most controversial.

White House Fires Back at Democrats

The White House responded swiftly to the Democrats’ release of the image. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend the president, writing: “As I have said all along, it is very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s post on X categorically denies that President Trump created the drawing or signed the birthday card, calling the entire story false.

Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich also joined the defense on social media, posting examples of Trump’s known signatures and contrasting them with the signature on the greeting card. “It is not his signature. DEFAMATION!” he wrote, attempting to show apparent differences between the authenticated Trump signatures and the one appearing on the alleged Epstein birthday card.

Taylor Budowich’s comparative post showing multiple examples of Trump’s verified signatures alongside the signature from the birthday card, highlighting what he claims are apparent differences that prove the card is fake.

Colbert’s Picasso Joke

The controversy has provided rich material for late-night television hosts, with Stephen Colbert leading the charge on “The Late Show.” Colbert mocked the alleged drawing, calling it “a Picasso of pervitude” in reference to both its crude artistic style and its controversial subject matter.

“You know what they say: If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, that duck should not be allowed within 300 yards of a school,” Colbert joked during his monologue. He also made fun of Trump’s artistic denials, sarcastically noting how the president claims he could not have drawn the picture despite having a history of doodling.

Colbert particularly enjoyed mocking the placement of Trump’s signature “below the waist” of the sketch, joking about how weird it was to sign in that particular location on a drawing of a nude figure. The comedian also highlighted the contrast between Trump’s vigorous denials and the now-public images that seem to match the Wall Street Journal’s original description.

Jimmy Kimmel Joins the Mockery

Not to be outdone, Jimmy Kimmel on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” also aimed at the president over the birthday card controversy. Kimmel focused on what he called the “MAGA freak-out” over the novelty aspects of Epstein’s birthday celebration.

The ABC host made jokes about other items reportedly found in Epstein’s birthday album, including a novelty check that allegedly showed Trump “purchasing” a woman for $22,500. “We know the check probably is not real, because Trump only pays women when they sue him,” Kimmel quipped, drawing laughter from his studio audience.

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night monologue showing him at his desk, gesturing toward images displayed on screen while making jokes about Trump’s denials and the various items found in Epstein’s birthday book.

Kimmel also poked fun at Trump’s claims that he is not artistic enough to create such a drawing. “He is not an artist? He paints his whole face orange every day,” the comedian said, referring to Trump’s distinctive appearance.

Both late-night hosts emphasized what they saw as the absurdity of Trump’s situation – vigorously denying involvement in creating the birthday card. At the same time, images that match the original Wall Street Journal description have now been made public by congressional Democrats.

Political Reactions Heat Up

The controversy has also drawn reactions from prominent political figures. California Governor Gavin Newsom weighed in on the situation through social media, though his exact comments have added fuel to the political fire surrounding the issue.

Governor Gavin Newsom posted on social media about the Wall Street Journal story and the birthday card photos. He joined the political fight about Trump’s possible ties to Epstein’s birthday party..

The timing of these revelations has proven particularly challenging for Trump, coming as he navigates his current presidency while dealing with various legal challenges. The Epstein connection has long been a source of political vulnerability for Trump, given Epstein’s conviction on sex trafficking charges and his mysterious death in federal custody.

Trump’s Defense Strategy

Despite the mounting evidence and public release of the alleged birthday card, Trump and his team have maintained a consistent defense strategy. They continue to claim that the entire story is fabricated and that Trump had no involvement in creating any birthday materials for Epstein.

The president’s legal team has pointed to what they describe as inconsistencies in the handwriting and signature style, arguing that these differences prove the document is fake. They have also questioned the timing of the release, suggesting it is politically motivated, given the current election cycle.

Trump himself has remained defiant, telling reporters that anyone who has covered him for an extended period would recognize that the language and style of the alleged birthday message do not match his typical communication patterns.

The Bigger Picture

This controversy comes at a time when Trump has promised greater transparency regarding Epstein-related documents. During his 2024 campaign, he indicated he would consider releasing additional files related to Epstein, responding to demands from various political figures who have long pushed for more governmental transparency around the case.

The situation highlights the ongoing political ramifications of Trump’s past association with Epstein, even as he maintains that their relationship was limited and that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. The birthday card controversy has reignited discussions about the nature and extent of their friendship during the early 2000s.

Media Battle Intensifies

The $10 billion Lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal represents one of the most significant defamation claims in recent political history. Trump’s legal team is arguing that the newspaper knowingly published false information with the intent to damage his reputation and political standing.

The Wall Street Journal, for its part, stands by its reporting and has indicated it will vigorously defend against the Lawsuit. The newspaper has maintained that its story was based on credible sources and thorough reporting practices.

As this legal battle unfolds in the courts, the public release of the alleged birthday card by House Democrats has added a new dimension to the controversy. The image corroborates key details from the original Wall Street Journal report, potentially strengthening the newspaper’s position in the defamation lawsuit.

The controversy continues to evolve, with both sides maintaining their positions and the American public left to judge the credibility of the various claims and counterclaims. Whether in courtrooms or comedy shows, the alleged Epstein birthday card has become a defining issue in the ongoing political and cultural battles surrounding the Trump presidency.

The resolution of this controversy depends on forensic analysis of the document, witness testimony, and the legal proceedings that are likely to continue for months or even years to come.