Donald Trump has shocked even his staunchest supporters by formally demanding the release of grand jury testimony in the Jeffrey Epstein case—just days after a bombshell Wall Street Journal report claimed he sent Epstein a sexually suggestive birthday letter in 2003.
According to the Journal, the alleged note included a hand-drawn naked female silhouette, signed “Donald,” accompanied by the line, “Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump vehemently denied writing it, calling the report “false, malicious, and defamatory,” and threatening to sue Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. Reuters has the full latest.
In a rare reversal, Trump instructed AG Pam Bondi to petition a court to unseal pertinent Epstein grand jury testimony, claiming this would “end the ridiculous amount of publicity” and expose the story as a “scam” by Democrats and the media. Bondi responded quickly that she was “ready to move the court tomorrow.” The Guardian reported, confirming her commitment.
“Trump calls it a ‘hoax’—then demands the files he promised to release.”
This demand follows his scathing dismissal of Republicans calling for transparency—he labeled them “stupid” and “foolish,” accusing them of carrying out Democratic orders. ABC News covered the rebuke, signaling deep intra-party tension.
The resulting MAGA stir has intensified. Prominent right-wing figures like Nick Fuentes attacked Trump for pulling back, while GOP Speaker Mike Johnson surprisingly urged full disclosure. “We should put everything out there,” Johnson said, breaking ranks. The Daily Beast captured the backlash.
“This isn’t a ploy—it’s a pivot. MAGA won’t let Trump sidestep Epstein.”
Johnson’s stance came during House resolutions urging broader transparency—though non-binding, they reflect the base’s mounting frustration. AP News notes how the issue is stalling GOP unity.
Trump’s move—to frame the demand as a strike against a perceived smear campaign—carries dual risk and reward. His allies, including VP Vance and Elon Musk, defended him, calling the Journal story “complete and utter bullshit.” Politico reports.
Yet key influencers like Seth Meyers and Lawrence O’Donnell are highlighting the strategy as a calculated concession. Meyers quipped that it shows Trump scrambling to appease his MAGA base after backtracking on earlier promises to hand over evidence. The Guardian frames the irony.
“He promised transparency, then called it a hoax—but now wants the files after being caught.”
The former president’s supporters are now torn. Some see this demand as vindication—a way to publicly refute the WSJ allegations. Others, especially true believers, are angry that full “client lists” and unedited materials haven’t been released yet. ABC News notes that figures like Mike Flynn and Jordan Klepper insist Trump must deliver more than just limited grand jury documents. ABC explains the base’s demands.
Despite this, the DOJ and FBI have already released internal memos saying there’s “no credible evidence” that Epstein held a blackmail list, and Epstein died by suicide. DOJ memo confirmed there is no client list.
But Trump’s current stance—threatening a lawsuit over the alleged letter while demanding release of sealed material—has only deepened the rift. Capitol Hill is now alive with debate over whether partial transparency will be enough, or if the promised full disclosure was just another MAGA flashpoint. WIRED explores the growing revolt.
This isn’t just about a birthday note or a few withheld pages—it’s about credibility. Trump’s political brand hinges on being the ultimate truth-teller. Now, his willingness to wage war on Murdoch and release files may be seen as either bold or a sign he’s scrambling to regain lost ground. As the court processes kick off, the coming weeks could determine whether this becomes another bombshell distraction or cements a reputation for half-measures.
In the end, one simple question dominates: can Trump unearth enough through these transcripts to bury accusations—or will he end up unleashing a storm, one Seattle lawyer warned: “Once Pandora’s box opens, anyone named Epstein’s associate is fair game.” FT covers this concern.
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