A damning new report from the US Congress has thrust the relationship between former President Donald Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein back into the spotlight. The document, released by House Democrats, contains a previously unseen 2012 birthday message Trump sent to Epstein.
The revelation directly contradicts Trump's long-standing public claims of having fallen out with Epstein years earlier and of having been unaware of his criminal activities. The report states the message was sent more than a decade after Trump allegedly distanced himself from the disgraced financier.
Details of the Revealing Exchange
The birthday note, sent from a representative of Trump, reads: "Mr. Trump asked me to pass along the following message: 'The only thing I would add is that he’s a terrific guy. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. Again, happy birthday.'"
This communication is dated July 2012, a period when Epstein was already a registered sex offender following his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Contradicting Public Statements
This evidence starkly contrasts with Mr. Trump's previous assertions. In 2019, he told reporters, "I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him in 15 years." The 2012 message places their contact well within that 15-year timeframe.
The report forms part of a larger investigation into the Epstein case, aiming to uncover the extent of his network and the alleged enabling of his crimes. It also scrutinises the role of his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Ongoing Political Repercussions
The release of this information is likely to fuel further political debate in the US. Critics of the former president are seizing on it as evidence of dishonesty regarding his associations. The report underscores the continued interest and ongoing investigations by US lawmakers into the powerful circles Epstein moved within.
As the story develops, it adds another complex layer to the enduring and dark legacy of the Jeffrey Epstein case, ensuring it remains a subject of intense public and political scrutiny.
