Donald Trump isn’t the only US president to appear in a collection of birthday messages that were sent to Jeffrey Epstein.
A message attributed to former President Bill Clinton is one of approximately 50 greetings in a 50th birthday book compiled for Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, years before the controversial New York financier was charged with crimes related to the sexual exploitation of underage girls.
Other notes appear to come from Epstein’s relatives, including his father, and from business executives and scientists.
The collection, unveiled by a House of Representatives committee on Monday, includes entries that are simply well wishes, congratulations, and innocent birthday greetings.
Some entries are vulgar or sexually explicit, recounting alleged past feats or making references to Epstein’s interest in meeting women. The book contains photos of Epstein, sometimes scantily clad or naked, alongside friends and acquaintances.
Trump, who asserts he had no prior knowledge of Epstein’s illegal activities and claims he ended their association many years ago, denies authoring a sexually suggestive note to Epstein or drawing the image of a voluptuous woman that accompanies the note. The letter features Trump’s name and what seems to be his signature.
Here’s a look at some of the people who purportedly wrote greetings for Epstein:
A message attributed to Clinton, which appears to match his handwriting and signature, praises Epstein’s “childlike curiosity.”
“It’s reassuring isn’t it, to have lasted so long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and (illegible), and still to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference, and the solace of friends,” Clinton penned.
The message, which is difficult to read, is written in cursive in black marker on a white sheet of paper.
Clinton’s office did not reply to a request for comment. His office has previously stated he was unaware of Epstein’s unlawful activities and had only traveled with him for humanitarian purposes.
A noted law professor who has represented both Trump and Epstein, Dershowitz joked that he had convinced Vanity Fair magazine to change the focus of an upcoming article from Epstein to Clinton.
He mocked up a fictional excerpt of an article with the headline “Who Was That Man With Epstein?”
Dershowitz did not respond to an email seeking comment. He has previously said he didn’t recall writing an entry for Epstein’s book.
Business and academic leaders
The book includes notes attributed to men who aren’t household names but held high positions in business or academia. Art depicting women’s breasts is labelled “specially commissioned by Henry Rosovsky.” Rosovsky was a Harvard economist who died in 2002.
