A letter allegedly written by Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003 was made public on Monday by Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee. This release comes after Trump denied the letter's existence in July, amid ongoing scrutiny of his past connections to Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

The letter, part of a birthday album compiled for Epstein, features a drawing of a curvaceous woman and includes quotes attributed to both Trump and Epstein. The album also contains names of other notable figures, such as former President Bill Clinton. The White House quickly responded, asserting that Trump did not write the letter or create the accompanying drawing.

"President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. She characterized the release as part of a campaign of misinformation aimed at damaging Trump’s reputation.

In a statement on social media, Leavitt referred to the claims as "false information aimed at fueling the Democratic conspiracy" regarding Trump's relationship with Epstein. Trump has previously stated that he has not been in contact with Epstein for over two decades, claiming he severed ties after Epstein allegedly "stole" young women from his Mar-a-Lago resort.

The letter's release adds to the ongoing debate surrounding Epstein's criminal activities, which included allegations of trafficking underage girls. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former associate, was convicted of luring young girls for sexual abuse.

The House Oversight Committee received the letter as part of a larger set of documents from Epstein's estate. The committee is currently pushing for the release of additional records related to Epstein's case, including his will and financial transactions.

As the controversy unfolds, some Republican lawmakers have downplayed the significance of the letter. Rep. Thomas Massie stated, "It doesn’t prove anything. Having a birthday card from Trump doesn’t help the survivors and the victims."

The release of the letter has reignited discussions about Trump's past associations and the broader implications of Epstein's actions. Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against a publication for its reporting on his connection to the letter, calling the claims "false, malicious, and defamatory."

The ongoing investigation into Epstein's activities continues to draw bipartisan interest, with calls for transparency from both sides of the aisle. The Justice Department has begun releasing records related to the Epstein investigation, responding to requests from Congress.