Bulwark Takes: BREAKING: Trump’s Creepy Epstein Friendship Exposed by WSJ
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host: The Bulwark Team (Tim Miller, Sam Stein)
Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Description: Bite-sized takes on the news of the day from The Bulwark team, including insights from Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, Bill Kristol, and others.
Introduction to the WSJ Story
In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Tim Miller and Sam Stein delve into a breaking Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report revealing a concerning association between former President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The WSJ story centers on a birthday album that Epstein compiled for his 50th birthday, which includes a personal letter from Trump.
Unpacking the Epstein-Trump Birthday Letter
Tim Miller introduces the main focus of the discussion:
“[00:14] Tim Miller: ...Headline, Jeff Epstein's friends sent him body letters for a 50th birthday album. One was for Donald Trump. They detail the letter, and it is truly something I wanted to come right back on to talk to you again...”
The letter in question is not just a simple note but includes hand-drawn imagery and typewritten text framed by an outline of a naked woman. The design is notably crude, with Trump's signature drawn below the waist, mimicking pubic hair:
“[02:00] Tim Miller: ...a pair of small arcs denote the woman's breasts, and the future president's signature is a squiggly Donald below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.”
This graphic depiction suggests a personal and possibly inappropriate relationship between Trump and Epstein, raising significant questions about their association.
Analyzing the Content and Implications
Sam Stein and Tim Miller dissect the cryptic message within the letter. The letter includes a scripted dialogue between "Donald" and "Jeffrey," hinting at shared secrets:
“[02:54] Sam Stein: What do you want to call it? “Tim: It’s not really a poem. It’s kind of like a scene, I guess you call it like a script.”
The dialogue references their mutual status as "enigmas" and culminates in wishing each other a "wonderful secret":
“[09:34] Tim Miller: ...may every day be another wonderful secret.”
This cryptic language suggests that both men were aware of certain unsavory secrets, likely related to Epstein's illicit activities.
Trump's Denials and Responses
Upon confronting the allegations, Donald Trump has vehemently denied the authenticity of the WSJ report. He claims the letter is fabricated and the entire story is a "fake thing":
“[12:16] Tim Miller: ...Trump denied writing a letter or drawing the picture. This is not me. This is a fake thing...”
However, an intriguing piece of evidence challenges his denial. In 2004, a woman from Ohio solicited celebrity doodles for charity, and Trump was reportedly the first to respond. A drawing attributed to Trump shows a hand-drawn New York skyline with crude pubic hair, aligning with the WSJ's description:
“[13:51] Sam Stein: ...she sent these solicitations out. She said Trump was the first person to send his drawing back in. And it was this little...”
This anecdote undermines Trump's claim that he "never wrote a picture" and suggests a pattern of such behavior.
Media Ethics and J.D. Vance’s Critique
J.D. Vance, referenced through his tweets, criticizes the WSJ for publishing the story without sharing the primary documentation with Trump, raising questions about journalistic integrity:
“[16:19] Tim Miller: ...JD is also leaning in on this, isn't it? Journalistic ethics. Don't you have to show this to us before you write it. Why didn't they even show it to us?”
Sam Stein counters by explaining possible reasons for withholding the primary document, such as protecting sources or preventing metadata leaks:
“[18:26] Sam Stein: ...they might just be doing this as a means of trying to protect their source...”
Despite these explanations, the debate underscores the tension between press freedom and verification of sensitive information.
Implications of the Epstein-Trump Connection
The revelation of Trump's connection to Epstein through this letter adds another layer to the already controversial relationship between the two men. The hosts discuss the broader public interest in understanding the depth of Trump's associations and the potential impact on his public image:
“[19:57] Tim Miller: ...there is a clear public interest in having these, these data points out there. Like, we do need to know the extent of how close he was to Epstein.”
Moreover, the discussion touches on the likely backlash from Trump’s supporters, who may frame the WSJ report as another example of media bias against him:
“[20:32] Sam Stein: ...he actually thinks it's real and that he knows it's incriminating. ...this is just a playbook.”
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the episode wraps up, Tim Miller emphasizes the significance of the WSJ report as a "huge puzzle piece" in understanding the relationships and dynamics within Trump's circle and the broader implications for his administration:
“[22:00] Tim Miller: ...this is a huge puzzle piece in.”
The hosts commit to following the story as more details emerge, highlighting the continuing investigation into Epstein’s network and its connections to high-profile figures.
Notable Quotes
- Tim Miller (00:14): “Headline, Jeff Epstein's friends sent him body letters for a 50th birthday album. One was for Donald Trump.”
- Tim Miller (02:00): “...the future president's signature is a squiggly Donald below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.”
- Sam Stein (05:29): “...Donald is 42 years old. He was dating someone who is... 22 years younger.”
- Tim Miller (12:16): “This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story.”
- Tim Miller (16:19): “JD is also leaning in on this, isn't it? Journalistic ethics. Don't you have to show this to us before you write it.”
Final Thoughts
This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a comprehensive analysis of the WSJ’s explosive report on Donald Trump’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. Through detailed examination of the evidence, exploration of media ethics, and consideration of the broader implications, Tim Miller and Sam Stein offer listeners a nuanced perspective on a highly sensitive and significant political development.