Summary of "Trump’s Letter to Jeffrey Epstein" Episode of The Journal

Released: July 18, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza
Produced by: The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Introduction

In the July 18, 2025 episode of The Journal, hosts Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza delve into a startling revelation involving former President Donald Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The episode investigates a recently uncovered letter allegedly penned by Trump to Epstein, shedding light on their past association and its implications amidst ongoing controversies surrounding Epstein's network.

The Discovery of Trump's Letter

Khadijah Safdar introduces the story by referencing her colleague's investigation into a "book of letters" presented to Jeffrey Epstein as a 50th birthday gift. Compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, the leather-bound album from 2003 features poems, photos, drawings, and letters from Epstein's family and friends, including prominent individuals.

Jessica Mendoza elaborates on the most controversial entry: a letter signed simply as "Donald," purportedly from then-future President Donald Trump. The letter is accompanied by a provocative illustration of a naked woman, with Trump's signature placed below what appears to be a depiction of pubic hair.

"There was a letter in the book and it had Trump's signature on it and several lines of typewritten text. And then around that text was an outline of a naked woman... the future president's signature was written below the woman's waist, a squiggle mimicking pubic hair."
— Jessica Mendoza [00:51]

The letter itself presents a fictitious dialogue between Donald and Jeffrey, hinting at a personal and possibly intimate relationship:

Voiceover: "There must be more to life than having everything."
DONALD: "Yes, there is. But I won't tell you what it is."
JEFFREY: "Nor will I, since I also know what it is."
...
DONALD: "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy birthday. And may every day be another wonderful secret."

This exchange suggests an "inside joke" or a deeper clandestine connection between the two men.

Trump's Response and Denial

Following the discovery, Khadijah Safdar reports that Donald Trump has publicly denied authorship of the letter and the accompanying drawing. In an interview with The Journal, Trump dismissed the allegations as fraudulent:

"This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story."
— Donald Trump [02:08]

Furthermore, Trump indicated his intent to pursue legal action should The Journal proceed with publishing an article on the letter:

"Trump also told the Journal he was preparing to file a lawsuit if the paper published an article on the letter."

Contents and Contributors of the Book of Letters

Jessica Mendoza provides an overview of the album, highlighting contributions from Epstein's associates, including:

• Leslie Wexner: Longtime leader of Victoria's Secret and Epstein's money manager. Wexner's letter included a crude line drawing resembling breasts.

• Ellen Dershowitz: Epstein's attorney, whose letter featured a mock-up of a Vanity Fair magazine cover with headlines like "Who was Jack the Ripper? Was it Jeffrey Epstein?"

The collection also contains personal notes, such as Epstein's report card from Mark Twain Junior High School in Brooklyn and an acrostic message from a former assistant praising Epstein.

"An acrostic is like when you use a word and then you use the first letter of each word to have like a sentence... It spelled Jeffrey... Epstein, you rock. You are the best, right?"
— Jessica Mendoza [04:54]

The overall tone of the messages is described as "sophomoric" and "body," indicating a mix of personal affection and juvenile content.

Trump's Relationship with Epstein

Jessica Mendoza outlines the nature of the relationship between Trump and Epstein during the early 2000s:

• Associates: Both were known to socialize and party together in the 1990s, with documented interactions in New York magazines and archival footage from NBC.

• Statements: Trump publicly acknowledged knowing Epstein for 15 years, describing him as a "terrific guy" who "enjoys his social life" with "beautiful women."

However, both Trump and Epstein have since distanced themselves from each other:

• Trump's Decline: After Epstein's 2006 arrest, Trump claimed their friendship ended before 2008, coinciding with Epstein's conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.

• Mar A Lago Ban: In 2023, Trump's spokeswoman confirmed that Epstein was eventually banned from Trump's Mar A Lago club.

DOJ Involvement and the Epstein Files Controversy

Sadie German, a Journal correspondent covering the Department of Justice (DOJ), discusses the administration's handling of the Epstein files:

• Attorney General Pam Bondi: Upon her confirmation in February, Bondi became involved in reviewing Epstein's documents, which fueled conspiracy theories about a hidden "client list" of powerful individuals connected to Epstein.

• Public Disclosure Attempt: Bondi invited right-wing influencers to the White House, presenting binders labeled "Epstein Files Phase 1" in an attempt to substantiate the existence of undisclosed information. However, the release contained no new revelations, leading to criticism and mockery.

• FBI's Role: Director Kash Patel ordered a thorough review of the documents to determine if any files were withheld, deploying hundreds of FBI agents to handle the process.

Despite these efforts, a memo released on a holiday weekend indicated that the DOJ found no new information warranting further public disclosure, effectively closing the case:

"Case closed, we don't have anything else for you."
— Memo from DOJ [14:01]

This decision sparked outrage among Trump supporters and right-wing media figures, including Laura Ingraham of Fox News and Infowars founder Alex Jones, who felt betrayed and accused the administration of suppressing incriminating evidence.

Impact on the Trump Administration and Public Perception

The episode highlights the significant PR fallout for the Trump administration resulting from the DOJ's stance on the Epstein files. Key points include:

• Eroded Trust: Many individuals within the administration who previously promoted conspiracy theories are now compelled to distance themselves from those narratives, leading to internal conflicts and public distrust.

• Conspiracy Theories: The lack of a verified "client list" did not quell suspicions, as supporters and influencers remain convinced of a government cover-up, deepening divisions.

• Trump's Reaction: In response to the revelation about his letter to Epstein, Trump has called for the release of all pertinent grand jury materials related to Epstein's case, signaling ongoing tension and potential legal battles.

Conclusion

The July 18, 2025 episode of The Journal meticulously examines the complex and murky relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, brought to light by the discovery of a controversial letter. This revelation not only rekindles scrutiny of Trump's past associations but also intersects with broader narratives about governmental transparency and accountability in high-profile criminal cases. As the DOJ maintains the closure of the Epstein files without uncovering new evidence, the episode underscores the enduring impact of Epstein's network on American political and social spheres.

Notable Quotes

• Jessica Mendoza [00:51]:
  "There was a letter in the book and it had Trump's signature on it and several lines of typewritten text... the future president's signature was written below the woman's waist, a squiggle mimicking pubic hair."

• Donald Trump [02:08]:
  "This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story."

• Jessica Mendoza [04:54]:
  "An acrostic is like when you use a word and then you use the first letter of each word to have like a sentence... It spelled Jeffrey... Epstein, you rock. You are the best, right?"

• Sadie German [14:01]:
  "Case closed, we don't have anything else for you."

Attributions

• Hosts: Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza
• Contributors: Khadijah Safdar, Sadie German
• Additional Reporting: Joe Palazzolo, Natalie Andrews, Annie Glinsky
• Production Team: Kathryn Brewer, Pia Gadkari, Carlos Garcia, and others
• Fact-Checking: Kate Gallagher

This detailed summary captures the essence of the The Journal episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and readers alike.