3:10President Donald Trump observes while playing golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry located on the south west coast of Scotland on July 26, 2025.Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images
House Democrats are seeking a copy of the purported “birthday book” created for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday, which the Wall Street Journal reported contains a “bawdy” letter from Donald Trump.
Representative Ro Khanna, D-Calif., along with House Oversight Ranking Democrat Representative Robert Garcia, D-Calif., submitted the request in a letter on Friday to the representatives of Epstein’s estate. Although this request does not have the authority of a congressional subpoena, it emerges amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding the Trump administration’s management of documents linked to investigations of Epstein.
The Democratic lawmakers expressed their intention to secure the book by August 10 — the day prior to the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena for long-time Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell to appear for a deposition.
U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA) gestures during the meeting of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement in the Rayburn House Office Building on July 23, 2025, in Washington, DC. Subcommittee members passed a motion to subpoena the so-called “Epstein files.”Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
“Recent media reports suggest that the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein possesses a document commonly known as ‘the birthday book,’ created by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003 to commemorate Mr. Epstein’s 50th birthday, which is clearly pertinent to this case,” the correspondence to Epstein’s representatives indicated.
"The book is significant for ongoing congressional oversight concerning the Department of Justice’s approach to the Epstein investigation and prosecution, as well as the Trump Administration’s choice to declassify and release only a limited number of documents from its Epstein files while keeping others concealed from the public," the letter added.
A notable attorney representing numerous victims of Epstein stated in a television interview this week that the estate was indeed in possession of the book.
The Democrats’ letter points out that in light of the subpoena for Maxwell’s deposition, who is said to have compiled the book, the committee “should be allowed to examine its contents” before her interview.
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announces charges against Jeffrey Epstein on July 8, 2019, in New York City. Epstein is charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Trump purportedly sent Epstein a letter in 2003 for his 50th birthday, which was included in a compilation that featured letters from various Epstein associates.
Trump has denied the letter’s existence and has initiated a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. ABC News has not confirmed the letter’s existence.
"We have complete confidence in the thoroughness and accuracy of our reporting, and we will robustly defend against any lawsuit," a spokesperson for Wall Street Journal owner Dow Jones stated.
"President Trump has instructed us to disclose all credible evidence. If Ghislaine Maxwell possesses information regarding anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will take her testimony into account," Blanche remarked in a statement shared on social media earlier this week, explaining the purpose of the visit.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
