"‘Time to Open That Checkbook’: Trump Team Provokes WSJ Following Alleged Letter to Epstein"

The Wall Street Journal recently stirred controversy by releasing what it claims is a birthday letter from former President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The letter, allegedly written in 2003, features a crude image and is said to be signed by Trump. This revelation has sparked a fierce backlash from Trump’s team, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt quickly dismissed the report as “fake news,” asserting that Trump did not write or sign the letter. She highlighted that Trump is actively pursuing legal action against the Journal for its earlier report on the letter, which he has labeled as false. In her statement, she criticized the Journal’s reporting practices, claiming that the journalist reached out for comment only at the moment of publication, leaving no time for a response.

Deputy White House Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich also weighed in, arguing that the signature on the letter does not match Trump’s and suggesting that News Corp, the Journal’s parent company, could face serious legal consequences for defamation.

Vice President JD Vance added to the criticism, suggesting that Democrats are using the Epstein issue to create false scandals aimed at damaging Trump’s reputation. He claimed that the focus should be on the victims of Epstein rather than on political attacks.

This incident follows a previous report by the Journal in July, which Trump also condemned as inaccurate. In response to the latest publication, he filed a federal libel lawsuit against various parties, including Rupert Murdoch and two Journal reporters. Trump has publicly stated that he warned the Journal about the letter’s authenticity before it was published, claiming they ignored his warning.

While Trump and Epstein were known to have socialized in the past, there is no evidence linking Trump to any of Epstein’s criminal activities. The allegations against Epstein did not surface until after Trump had distanced himself from him.

As this story develops, it raises questions about media ethics and the ongoing political battles surrounding Trump.

Author

  • The American Drudge Report - Always Telling the Truth

    Susan Wright has spent two decades chasing the pulse of American life from an editor’s chair that never gets cold. She’s filed columns inside packed campaign buses, fact-checked policy briefs over takeout, and wrestled late-night copy until it told the truth. Her sweet spot: connecting the dots between Capitol Hill votes, kitchen-table worries, and the cultural undercurrents most headlines miss. Readers trust her for clear facts, sharp perspective, and a reminder that democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Off deadline, Susan pushes for media transparency and smarter civics—because knowing the rules is half the game, and she’s determined to keep the playbook open to everyone.