At a Glance
- A 10-foot-tall replica of a birthday card Donald Trump allegedly sent Jeffrey Epstein appeared on the National Mall on Jan. 19, 2026.
- The card contains a crude nude sketch and a fictional conversation ending with “may every day be another wonderful secret.”
- Trump denies writing it, sued The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion, and the case is ongoing.
Why it matters: The public display revives scrutiny of Trump’s past ties to Epstein ahead of the convicted sex offender’s would-be 73rd birthday.
A towering reproduction of the disputed birthday greeting materialized Monday on the National Mall, one day before Jeffrey Epstein’s posthumous 73rd birthday. The card, first reported by The Wall Street Journal in July 2025, allegedly accompanied Epstein’s 50th birthday gifts in 2003.
What the Card Shows
The installation replicates the original document’s hand-drawn outline of a naked woman. Inside the outline, text stages an imagined exchange:
- Trump: “We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.”
- Epstein: “Yes, we do, come to think of it.”
- Trump: “Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?”
- Epstein: “As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.”
The message ends: “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump’s Denial and Lawsuit
When The Wall Street Journal published its story, Trump dismissed the card as fabricated.
> “This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story,” he told the outlet. “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women… It’s not my language. It’s not my words.”
Weeks later, Trump filed a $10 billion defamation suit against the paper and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch. Litigation continues even after Trump hosted Murdoch at a White House dinner in October.
How the Public First Saw the Image
The Wall Street Journal initially withheld the visual. Lawyers for Epstein’s estate later released it to the House Oversight Committee, which is reviewing the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein files. The card reportedly came from a scrapbook of birthday messages assembled by Ghislaine Maxwell.
Protest Group Claims Credit
Washington’s WUSA 9 reports that an activist collective, The Secret Handshake, installed the giant replica. Beside the display, boxes of files and markers invite visitors to write “their own personal message to the administration.”
The same group erected a life-sized “Best Friends Forever” statue of Trump and Epstein on the Mall in September 2025; the National Park Service removed it within hours.
Internet Responds to Trump’s “Never Drew” Claim
Within minutes of Trump’s denial, social-media users posted examples of his past sketches. Former congressman Adam Kinzinger compiled several on X, captioning the collage: “Trump loves to draw. Just saying.”
Auction records show Trump drawings have sold for five-figure prices:
| Item | House | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 cityscape | Sotheby’s | Not listed |
| Empire State Building sketch | Julien’s | $16,000 |
| 2005 Manhattan skyline | Nate D. Sanders | $29,184 |
| Tree with money falling | Leland Little | $8,500 |
Each bears Trump’s distinctive signature.
In his 2010 book Trump Never Give Up, the president noted: “Each year, I donate an autographed doodle to the Doodle for Hunger auction at Tavern on the Green. It’s a great event.”
Key Takeaways
- A protest group used the Mall to amplify allegations about Trump’s past relationship with Epstein.
- Trump’s legal fight with The Wall Street Journal adds another layer to the controversy.
- The installation ensures the topic will resurface as Epstein’s birthday approaches each year.
