A previously unseen letter from Donald Trump to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been thrust into the public domain, casting a stark new light on the nature of their relationship. The correspondence, written on official Trump Organisation stationery, is a warm birthday message sent to Epstein in 2005.
The document was filed in a New York court as part of a defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein accuser Sarah Ransome against Ghislaine Maxwell. Its emergence provides a tangible piece of evidence illustrating the cordial and familiar dynamic between the former president and the disgraced financier.
The Content of the Controversial Note
The message itself is brief but telling. Dated from 2005, it reads: "Jeffrey: Happy Birthday to a wonderful guy and a great friend. I look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, Donald Trump." The use of phrases like "wonderful guy" and "great friend" stands in jarring contrast to the horrific crimes Epstein was later convicted for and the serious allegations that followed him for years.
Critics and political opponents are seizing on the letter as proof of a deeper, more amicable connection than previously acknowledged. It directly challenges Trump's past assertions that he and Epstein had a falling out and were not close.
A History of Denials and Downplayed Links
For years, Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from Jeffrey Epstein. He has consistently claimed their relationship was superficial, that they had a major fallout in the early 2000s, and that he was merely a fellow Palm Beach property owner. This letter, sent years after Trump claimed their relationship had soured, directly contradicts that narrative.
The timing is particularly significant. By 2005, Epstein's behaviour was already the subject of law enforcement scrutiny and media reports, making the jovial tone of the letter even more controversial.
Legal and Political Repercussions
The letter's disclosure is more than a historical footnote; it has immediate real-world consequences. It was entered into the court record for the defamation case against Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's abuse ring.
Politically, the document is a gift to Trump's adversaries. It provides a concrete exhibit for them to point to, undermining his claims of a distant association and fuelling further questions about what he knew about Epstein's activities and when.
As the legal proceedings continue and the court of public opinion weighs in, this single page of Trump Organisation stationery serves as a potent symbol of a friendship that continues to haunt a former president's legacy.
