A rediscovered 1997 letter from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein has reopened controversy surrounding the former president’s connection to the disgraced financier. In the letter, scrawled on a printout of Trump’s book The Art of the Comeback, Trump wrote: “To Jeff — You are the greatest! ” The New York Times reported the exchange, according to sources within Epstein’s estate.
Trump and Epstein were close friends throughout the 1990s and early 2000s before a public spat in 2004. Yet, fresh revelations continue to follow Trump, notwithstanding numerous efforts to disassociate himself from Epstein.
Signed Book, Personal Message
The note is from October 1997, when Trump forwarded Epstein a signed copy of his book with a brief but effusive note — “You are the greatest!” — inscribed specifically to Epstein. The note contributes to mounting questions regarding the nature and scope of their relationship during a period when Epstein was building connections among America’s elite.
As the Times reported, the book is now owned by Epstein’s estate and Representative Ro Khanna. The development puts pressure on Trump, whose former friendship with Epstein already has come under fire because of Epstein’s criminal history and connections to a massive sex trafficking ring.
Lawsuit Over Graphic Allegation
Earlier, Trump had sued The Wall Street Journal for defamation when it ran a story on the signed book. That report claimed that Trump also drew a rough sketch of a woman within the book, and his signature was depicted as pubic hair. The strange detail startled readers and was a viral hot spot, although Trump’s legal team vigorously refuted the story.
The lawsuit is among the layers of legal and reputational wars Trump is waging as the Epstein case continues to unfold after his death.
High-Profile Birthday Book
Adding to Trump’s denials, a 2003 birthday present for Epstein has emerged. A leather-bound book with congratulatory messages was given to Epstein on his 50th birthday. Donald Trump and then-President Bill Clinton both contributed messages, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Some other well-known figures in the book are Leslie H. Wexner, the former boss of Victoria’s Secret; financier Alan C. Greenberg of Bear Stearns; and physicist Murray Gell-Mann, a Nobel laureate. The list of gifts highlights the powerful group Epstein moved among before his fall.
Trump’s Denials vs Ongoing Links
Despite a highly publicized controversy in 2004, when Trump supposedly banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club, connections between the two are subject to ongoing reappraisal. Trump has continually attempted to dissociate himself from the Epstein documents. However, leaked files, rediscovered letters, and estate-stored evidence continue to pull him back into the limelight.
As the drama surrounding the 1997 book gains speed, the public glare increases. Legal experts say this may only make it harder for Trump’s political revival, particularly as court cases associated with Epstein’s estate continue to make headlines.
What Lies Ahead?
This newest disclosure adds to the cloud of suspicion around Trump’s history. No criminal accusations have resulted from this particular note, but the symbolic burden is noteworthy.
Critics argue the note demonstrates more than a simple acquaintance. It indicates admiration, at a time when Epstein’s shadowy network was allegedly coming into being.
