Trump aides expected to seek release of Epstein grand jury documents

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) – Donald Trump’s aides were expected on Friday to ask a court to release grand jury testimony about Jeffrey Epstein, as the president fought back against concerns over his administration’s handling of the deceased convicted sex offender’s case.
Trump’s request on Thursday to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the records came hours after The Wall Street Journal reported on a 50th birthday greeting to Epstein that Trump allegedly sent in 2003 that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets they shared.

Trump vehemently denied the Journal report, which Reuters has not verified. Trump warned Rupert Murdoch, the founder of News Corp (NWSA.O), opens new tab, the paper’s parent company, that he planned to sue.
“I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper, the WSJ. That will be an interesting experience!!!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Friday morning.
The Journal said the letter bearing Trump’s name was part of a leather-bound birthday book for Epstein that included messages from other high-profile people. The newspaper said the letter contains several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appeared to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. The newspaper said the letter concludes “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret,” and featured the signature “Donald.”

Allegations that Epstein had been sexually abusing girls became public in 2006 – after the birthday book was produced – and he was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein died in 2019 in jail after he was arrested for a second time and charged with sex-trafficking conspiracy.
Some of Trump’s most loyal supporters reacted in fury after the Justice Department earlier this month concluded there was no evidence, opens new tab to support a number of long-held conspiracy theories about the disgraced financier’s clients and death in prison.
Bondi had pledged months earlier to reveal major revelations about Epstein, including “a lot of names” and “a lot of flight logs.”

Source: reuters