5 godzin temu
House Democrats on Monday released Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday scrapbook containing a photo that suggests the convicted sex offender "sold" Donald Trump a woman for $22,500. The image shows Epstein holding a novelty check signed by the president, adding new visual evidence to their longtime relationship.
The photo features Epstein alongside Joel Pashcow, a longtime member of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, and a third figure whose face is redacted. A handwritten caption, apparently from Pashcow, reads: "Jeffrey showing early talents with money + women! Sells 'fully depreciated' [redaction] to Donald Trump for $22,500."
Political firestorm erupts
Trump has vehemently denied authoring any birthday letter to Epstein and launched a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. The president's legal team disputes the authenticity of materials linking him to the disgraced financier.
House Speaker Mike Johnson initially claimed Trump served as an FBI informant on Epstein, but later clarified he was reiterating statements from a victim's attorney. When pressed about signature authenticity, Johnson offered a four-word response: "I don't -- and they say it's not."
Wider implications emerge
The Wall Street Journal first reported the letter's existence in July, making current "hoax" claims particularly striking given the publication's Murdoch ownership. According to The Independent, this irony highlights the contradictions in the administration's media narrative.
Only The i reports that Lord Mandelson also appears in the birthday book, potentially drawing UK political figures into the controversy. The scrapbook's release forms part of the House oversight committee's ongoing investigation into Epstein's network and connections.
Sources used: "The Guardian", "The Independent", "The i"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
