The House Oversight Committee released a trove of records yesterday from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, including a note bearing President Donald Trump’s name that was part of a “birthday book” of letters gifted to the late convicted sex offender.
What else was released? The records included Epstein’s last will and testament, entries from his address book, and the 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The records also included a partially redacted photo showing Epstein standing next to other people holding an oversized check, written to appear as if it had been made out from Trump to Epstein for $22,500. The photo’s caption reads: “Jeffrey showing early talents with money and women! Sells ‘fully depreciated’ [readacted] to Donald Trump for $22,500.”
What does Trump say? The president has repeatedly denied writing the letter and sued The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on it, for defamation. Following the release, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation.”
What’s not in the records? Lawyers representing the estate noted in a letter obtained by CNN accompanying the document production that there are certain redactions in the book, which was reportedly compiled by Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, that comprises three volumes.
What next? Attorney Daniel H. Weiner, a representative for the Epstein estate, told CNN “the Co-Executors will continue to produce on a rolling basis documents responsive to the Committee’s subpoena.”
A bipartisan group of staffers on the committee is expected to travel to New York City this week to meet with lawyers representing the estate and view unredacted documents related to the investigation, according to a source.
Separately, Democrats have teamed up with Rep. Thomas Massie and three other GOP lawmakers in an effort to force a vote on a measure that would require Trump’s administration to turn over any information related to Epstein. Massie remains two votes short. House Democrats are just weeks away from filling a pair of key vacancies that could deliver the votes needed to advance the Epstein discharge petition by month’s end.
