The Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported that former President Bill Clinton was among the many well-wishers who wrote a birthday letter to sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003.
Why It Matters
Clinton’s name has appeared several times in documents related to Epstein, who died six years ago while in prison, and those documents and related testimony have been publicly reported on.
Thursday’s report comes as President Donald Trump‘s administration continues grappling with the fallout from its handling of the investigation of Epstein’s 2019 death, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded was a suicide.
Clinton was among several powerful and wealthy figures whose names appeared in Epstein court documents released last year.
Democrats, Republicans and Trump’s MAGA base have clamored to also have the complete Epstein files released to the public.
Clinton has repeatedly said he knew nothing of Epstein’s “terrible crimes” while they were associated, while Trump has called Epstein a “creep” in recent weeks and also distanced himself from the disgraced businessman.
What To Know
According to the Journal, Clinton’s note to Epstein was written in the former president’s “distinctive scrawl.”
“It’s reassuring isn’t it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends.”
In May 2016, one of Epstein’s alleged victims, Johanna Sjoberg, was asked about Clinton in a deposition. Sjoberg has said that she was in Epstein’s circle from 2001 to 2006.
“[Epstein] said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls,” Sjoberg testified during the deposition.
A spokesperson for the former president declined to comment on the birthday message reviewed by the Journal and referred the outlet to a previous statement saying Clinton had cut off ties with Epstein more than a decade before he was arrested in 2019 and was unaware of his crimes.
Thursday’s report from the Journal follows an article it published last week featuring a birthday letter that Trump had allegedly penned for Epstein’s 50th birthday. The note featured typewritten text surrounded by the outline of a naked woman, complete with Trump’s signature below the woman’s waist, which was meant to mimic pubic hair.
“Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” the note concluded, according to the Journal.
Trump and Clinton’s notes were part of a trove of birthday letters that Epstein’s longtime associate and former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, compiled in a leather-bound album that she gave to Epstein as a gift for his 50th birthday.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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