White House Pushes Back on Report Linking Trump to Epstein Investigation
The White House issued a firm denial Wednesday following a new report that President Trump’s name was mentioned multiple times in documents tied to the long-running investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in federal custody in 2019.
The report, citing senior administration officials, claimed Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in May that his name appeared several times in the Epstein files, alongside other well-known figures. The attorney general also reportedly told the president that no further documents from the case would be released publicly, in order to protect the identities of trafficking victims.
In response, White House communications director Steven Cheung dismissed the claims as “another fake news story,” adding that it was no different from previous reporting by the same outlet. “This is just like the earlier story from the Wall Street Journal completely false,” Cheung said in a statement.
The earlier article referenced by Cheung detailed a birthday note Trump allegedly sent Epstein in 2003. According to that report, the letter included typed lines surrounded by a hand-drawn outline of a nude woman and ended with the message: “Happy Birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret,” along with Trump’s signature. Trump has denied writing or drawing the letter, calling the story fabricated.
The revived scrutiny over Trump’s past ties to Epstein has resurfaced following the release of a Department of Justice memo on July 7, which confirmed Epstein died by suicide and reiterated that the agency does not possess a so-called “client list.” Trump has since distanced himself from Epstein, calling him a “creep” and denying any close association.
However, Wednesday’s reporting appears to contradict Trump’s earlier remarks regarding his conversations with the attorney general. Asked on July 15 whether Bondi had told him his name was mentioned in the documents, Trump replied, “No, no, she’s she’s given us just a very quick briefing,” and praised her handling of the case.
The renewed interest in Trump’s past interactions with Epstein also follows recent media reports resurfacing photos and footage of the two men socializing in the 1990s. One image shows Epstein attending Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples, while other photos capture them together at public events, including a restaurant opening that same year.
Footage from 1999, uncovered this week, also showed the two laughing and chatting during a fashion show, further highlighting a relationship that Trump now characterizes as distant.
While the administration continues to downplay any connection between the president and Epstein, the conflicting accounts and resurfaced images are likely to keep the story in the public spotlight.