Reports surfaced this week regarding a letter purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar, the former U.S.A. Gymnastics team doctor. The letter, postmarked August 13, 2019 – three days after Epstein’s death – contained disparaging remarks about Donald Trump and alluded to shared interests. However, the FBI has since confirmed the letter is a forgery.
Allegations and Prior Judgments
This incident arrives amidst a history of public accusations against Trump regarding his conduct toward women. Approximately twenty women have publicly accused him of sexual misconduct, all of which he has denied. In 2023, a New York jury awarded writer E. Jean Carroll a five-million-dollar civil judgment against Trump for defamation and sexual abuse, stemming from an alleged assault in the mid-1990s at a Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York. Trump has disputed Carroll’s account and is seeking to overturn the ruling.
The Disputed Letter and Investigation
The letter’s existence was initially noted in a 2023 report by the Associated Press. However, Julie K. Brown, an investigative reporter with the Miami Herald specializing in the Epstein case, raised concerns about its authenticity, citing inconsistencies in Epstein’s handwriting and spelling. The Justice Department subsequently confirmed through the FBI that the letter was, in fact, fake.
The Epstein-Trump Relationship
Recent reporting in the Times details a nearly two-decade-long relationship between Trump and Epstein, characterized by a shared pursuit of women and a dynamic of ego and dominance. According to the report, which included interviews with over thirty former Epstein employees and victims, “Female bodies were currency.” The two men frequented each other’s properties – Epstein’s Manhattan mansion and Trump’s Plaza Hotel, among others – and often discussed sexual exploits.
A former Epstein assistant recounted instances of Trump sharing details of his sexual encounters with Epstein over the phone, with Epstein allegedly requiring his assistants to listen on speakerphone. One such conversation reportedly involved a discussion about a woman’s pubic hair and its potential use as dental floss, while another detailed an alleged sexual encounter on a pool table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the content of the alleged letter?
The letter reportedly contained contemptuous remarks about Donald Trump and alluded to shared interests with Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Nassar, specifically a “love of young, nubile girls” and Trump’s alleged penchant for saying he “loved to ‘grab snatch.’”
Who confirmed the letter was fake?
The FBI confirmed, at the request of the Justice Department, that the letter was a forgery.
What did the Times report reveal about the relationship between Trump and Epstein?
The Times reported that their relationship spanned nearly two decades and was characterized by a shared pursuit of women, with “Female bodies were currency.” They frequently visited each other’s properties and discussed sexual exploits.
As investigations continue and more information comes to light, it remains to be seen what further scrutiny this history will invite.
