House Democrats are actively seeking a copy of the controversial birthday book linked to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein that was reportedly compiled for his 50th birthday. This interest was sparked by a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, which claimed the book includes a provocative letter from former President Donald Trump.
On Friday, Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, along with House Oversight Ranking Democrat Robert Garcia, made an official request to Epstein's estate representatives for the book. Although their request lacks the force of a congressional subpoena, it emerges during ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Trump administration’s management of documents related to Epstein investigations.
The Democratic lawmakers expressed their desire to obtain the book by August 10, just one day before the House Oversight Committee has summoned long-time Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell to provide a deposition. Their letter emphasized that recent public reports indicate the Epstein estate possesses a document often referred to as "the birthday book," which was compiled by Maxwell in 2003 to celebrate Epstein’s milestone birthday. The lawmakers argue that this book is crucial for ongoing congressional oversight regarding the Department of Justice’s approach to the Epstein investigation and prosecution.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump allegedly wrote a letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday, which was part of a collection of messages from various Epstein associates compiled in the book. However, Trump has denied the existence of this letter and has initiated a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. In response, a spokesperson for Dow Jones, the owner of the Wall Street Journal, stated their complete confidence in the integrity of their reporting and their intent to robustly defend against any legal challenges.
Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking and other serious charges, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. Reports indicate that she spent two days this week in discussions with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche while granted limited immunity. Blanche commented on the situation, stating, "President Trump has instructed us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about any individuals who have committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will ensure they hear her testimony."
The request for the birthday book is part of a larger effort by House Democrats to scrutinize the handling of Epstein-related files and the broader implications of the Trump administration’s actions during the investigations. As the August 10 deadline approaches, the outcome of this request could play a significant role in shaping the forthcoming deposition of Maxwell and other related inquiries.
