A book assembled for the 50th birthday of Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 reportedly also included a message from former President Bill Clinton as well as Donald Trump.
The book, presented to the wealthy Epstein three years before he first faced criminal charges, included a message from Clinton as well as entries from billionaire Leon Black and other prominent figures, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Both Clinton and Trump were listed under the category of “friends” in the bound volume, the newspaper reported.
Trump has denied writing the letter and has sued the Journal.
The paper’s latest report adds to the picture of Epstein as a well-connected figure who appeared to be on friendly terms with influential people — an image getting new scrutiny as the Trump administration counters opposition to its attempt to move on from the case.
POLITICO has been unable to confirm the report in the Journal, which provided the text of both the Trump and Clinton messages to Epstein, a successful financier at the time.
“It’s reassuring isn’t it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends,” the Clinton note said, according to the Journal.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 on state charges of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18 and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. He was arrested on federal charges in July 2019 and died in what authorities said was a suicide in custody about a month later. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021.
Interest in Epstein has flourished, with many people clamoring for more information about suspected participants in his crime or a list of clients — speculation that was encouraged by Trump as well as people now serving in his administration.
In July, the Justice Department said there was no client list and not enough evidence to pursue charges against anyone else and attempted to close the case — sparking outrage among many supporters of the president.
The Journal reported on July 17 that an entry from Trump, including a suggestive sketch, had been included in the book presented to Epstein for his 50th birthday and reviewed by federal authorities as part of their investigation.
The president has said he distanced himself from Epstein prior to the 2003 arrest. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung told POLITICO on Wednesday that Trump “kicked him out of his club for being a creep.”
The Journal on Wednesday added new details about the birthday book, including that there were entries from Clinton and Black, who was forced to step down as head of Apollo Global Management after a review found he paid $158 million to Epstein for financial services.
According to the paper, Black wrote a handwritten poem and signed it “Love and kisses, Leon.”
A spokesperson for Black declined to comment.
Clinton’s association with Epstein has been publicly known for years and included travel on his plane after he had left office, according to court records.
A spokesperson for Clinton said in 2019 he cut off ties with Epstein prior to his 2019 arrest and was unaware of Epstein’s alleged crimes. Representatives for Clinton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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