President Donald Trump sought to shut down questions about an alleged 2003 birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein, calling the matter “a dead issue” in a televised interview. His comments came a day after congressional investigators published fresh records from Epstein’s estate, including an image of the purported note that the White House insists is fake.

Interview Pushback and Immediate Denial

In the interview, Trump said, “I don’t comment on something that’s a dead issue,” repeating that he had already given his comments to staff. The White House reinforced the line, arguing the image circulated by lawmakers is not authentic and that the president did not sign it. The remarks were aimed at defusing renewed attention to Trump’s past social contact with Epstein years before the financier’s 2019 death.

Authenticity Fight and Legal Salvos

Officials close to the president said the note was fabricated and vowed aggressive legal action, pointing to an ongoing libel suit over earlier reporting that flagged the letter’s existence. The administration’s message has been that political opponents are “concocting a hoax,” while aides circulate comparisons of signatures to bolster the denial. The dispute, now partly in court, ensures the authenticity question will remain contested even as the White House insists the matter is closed.

New Disclosures Fuel Oversight Pressure

The release of estate records—including the so-called “birthday book”—revived interest across Capitol Hill and among victims’ advocates pressing for full transparency. House investigators last month also issued subpoenas for unredacted files and testimony from a roster of former senior officials, underscoring a widening probe that cuts across administrations. The latest document dump has sharpened partisan lines over what remains undisclosed and who should be questioned under oath.

What Federal Reviews Have Said So Far

Earlier this summer, federal reviews concluded that Epstein did not keep a “client list” and that no additional files would be released beyond what has already been made public. Those findings—criticized by some of Trump’s allies who want more disclosures—have constrained expectations about further revelations from federal repositories. They also complicate lawmakers’ hopes of prying loose new material absent court orders.

Unresolved Questions

Epstein’s 2008 conviction and 2019 death have long fueled demands for accountability around his enablers and associates. With Congress publishing new estate documents and the White House disputing their veracity, the narrative now turns on provenance, chain of custody, and handwriting analysis—technical issues likely to play out in committee rooms and court filings. For now, the political stakes remain high, even as the president seeks to move on.