WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declined to discuss the letter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that House Democrats released on Monday, calling it a “dead issue.”
"I don’t comment on something that’s a dead issue," Trump told NBC News in a brief phone call Tuesday morning. "I gave all comments to the staff. It’s a dead issue."
He declined to discuss the issue further.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee posted on X an image of a lewd note Trump allegedly sent Epstein for his 50th birthday. The letter was part of a slew of documents released Monday, which stemmed from a subpoena the GOP-led committee sent to Epstein's estate.
The president has denied that he wrote the letter. White House officials on Monday dismissed it, arguing that the signature did not match the president’s current signature. Earlier instances of the president’s signature, though, appear similar to the signature on the letter.
Speaking to reporters outside a Washington restaurant Tuesday night, Trump again denied writing the letter, saying, “It’s not my signature, it’s not the way I speak.”
“Anybody that’s covered me for a long time knows that’s not my language. It’s nonsense. And frankly, you’re wasting your time,” he said.
Asked whether he would meet with Epstein’s accusers, Trump said: “I don’t know about — nobody suggested that. Certainly, I don’t like that whole situation, with respect to anybody being abused or hurt, but I haven’t, I haven’t even thought about that.”
The birthday letter, which was allegedly sent in 2003, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The president in July sued the Journal’s parent company, publisher and two reporters for defamation. The newspaper has said it stands by its reporting.
The letter depicts the outline of a naked woman with Trump's first name signed in the pubic area. The note lays out a conversation between Trump and Epstein, with Trump saying, "We have certain things in common, Jeffrey."
The letter concludes with a depiction of Trump saying, "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret."
The Epstein issue has rocked Washington for months, carving a divide among Republicans who are typically in lockstep behind the White House's messaging. Trump has repeatedly tried to downplay the story, even as some of his MAGA allies continue to push for transparency.
Democratic lawmakers and a handful of their Republican counterparts are working to collect signatures that could ultimately force a vote over whether the Justice Department has to release more Epstein files.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is co-leading the effort with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. Among the signers are three Republicans who are typically allied with Trump's messaging: Reps. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
