Democrats Seek Epstein "Birthday Book" as DOJ Subpoenaed for Files
Leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, Representatives Robert Garcia and Ro Khanna, are requesting a complete copy of Jeffrey Epstein's "birthday book" from his estate. This request, made on July 25, 2025, is part of ongoing congressional oversight into the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein investigation and the Trump administration's decisions on declassifying related files. Simultaneously, a House subcommittee has voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for files related to the Epstein sex trafficking investigation, with bipartisan support.
The Contentious "Birthday Book": Trump Denies Involvement
The "birthday book," reportedly compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, contains messages and illustrations from his associates. A recent Wall Street Journal report alleges that Donald Trump contributed a drawing of a naked woman with his signature and the phrase, "Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret." Trump has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them "FAKE" and launching a libel and slander lawsuit against Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, and two Wall Street Journal reporters.
Notable Figures Allegedly Linked to Epstein's "Birthday Book"
Besides Donald Trump, other prominent figures reportedly included in the book are former President Bill Clinton, billionaire Leon Black, fashion designer Vera Wang, media owner Mort Zuckerman, former Microsoft executive Nathan Myhrvold, and UK ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson. Some messages are described as suggestive or crude. Lawyers representing Epstein's victims have confirmed the existence of the book, adding weight to the controversy.
Bipartisan Support for DOJ Subpoena Amidst Republican Pushback
The House subcommittee's vote to subpoena the Department of Justice for Epstein-related files saw Republicans siding with Democrats, despite resistance from President Trump and Republican leadership. Democrats successfully blocked Republican attempts to limit the subpoena to only "credible" information, indicating the level of scrutiny this case is receiving from both sides of the aisle.
Trump's Strong Denials and "POWERHOUSE Lawsuit"
President Trump has strongly denied any involvement with the alleged birthday book entry, dismissing it as a "Democrat con job" and a "SCAM" designed to distract from his administration's achievements. He has filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its associated entities, branding it a "POWERHOUSE Lawsuit." Vice President JD Vance has also criticized The Wall Street Journal, accusing them of a "hit piece" and demanding proof of the allegations.
Justice Department's Stance and Previous Statements
Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly informed Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in Epstein's files. However, the Justice Department has stated that nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution. On July 7, 2025, the Justice Department stated that no "client list" was found, and no further files related to the case would be made public. A federal judge in Florida rejected a Trump administration request to unseal transcripts from grand jury investigations of Jeffrey Epstein from 2005 and 2007, citing that the request did not meet the extraordinary exceptions for public release.
Intensified Calls for Document Release and Political Fallout
The ongoing controversy has intensified calls from lawmakers and the public for the release of sealed Epstein-related documents. Democrats are using the issue to pressure Republicans, highlighting perceived lack of transparency and suggesting a possible "cover-up." They have launched ad campaigns in swing districts to capitalize on Republican tensions. These actions point to the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the Epstein case.
Public Scrutiny and Lingering Questions
The recent revelations continue to fuel public scrutiny of high-profile individuals' connections to Epstein, despite official denials of wrongdoing. The alleged contents of the Jeffrey Epstein "birthday album," including the controversial message attributed to Donald Trump, are outlined in a video from NDTV.
