New allegations of ties between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein could expose rising tensions in the Republican Party and sway swinging voters, a political analyst has said.
US lawmakers released a copy of a “birthday book” on Monday which included notes given to deceased convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday.
The book includes a letter allegedly written by Trump which said: “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The book was released alongside other documents including Epstein’s will and his personal address book.
The White House has denied the alleged letter from Trump, which featured a drawing of a woman’s body, was authentic and said the president “did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it”.
An extract of the letter and drawing apparently made for Epstein by Trump (Photo: OversightDems/X via AP)The existence of the birthday book and Trump’s letter was first reported in July by The Wall Street Journal. Trump said at the time: “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures.”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich tweeted that the signature on the birthday letter does not match that of the president.
But as Trump’s top team rallies in his defence, The i Paper examines the likely next steps for the US President.
Dr Christopher Featherstone, Associate Lecturer in the Department of Politics at the University of York, said that the president’s denial of the allegations can be characterised as “the default Donald Trump response”.
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He told The i Paper: “This is how he responds to these big revelations that for a traditional politician would have a seismic impact on their administration – his solution is denial. This is nothing new.”
The associate lecturer said the president’s strategy of refuting such claims could be perceived as a way of biding time to craft a more pragmatic response.
“The big thing will be what his narrative is on these Democratic attacks on his administration, that’s the longer term strategy… Something along the lines of stating this is an attempt from the Democrats to derail his administration – and to a certain extent it is true.”
MAGA turns on Trump
Dr Featherstone said that while there are groups of Trump supporters who will stick by the president throughout the latest controversy, the revelation may bring attention to the cracks forming in the Republican Party.
He said: “I think what we’re maybe seeing is the start of some of the internal disagreements in MAGA coming through more.”
US president Donald Trump has previously denied his inclusion in the “birthday book”. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesHe highlighted that the group has already become divided over the topic of immigration, and said the birthday book allegations could remind voters of the president’s long-standing ties to establishment figures such as Epstein.
“He is trying to pitch himself as anti-elitism in attitude but he has has personal relations with all the high flyers in New York. Prior to entering politics himself, he financially supported the Democrats to an enormous extent.”
‘Reasonable’ Republicans switch sides
The associate professor added that the latest release of files could be utilised by the Democrats to target less radical Republican voters who are more sold on the traditional economic values of the party, rather than Trump himself.
“This is part of the personal attack on Donald Trump specifically, I would argue they’re looking to show him in the hypocritical stance, which he has taken. He was clearly close to Jeffrey Epstein, he clearly knew him for a hell of a long time.
“Attacking that morality is key for the Republican midwest voter, someone not quite anti-immigration but thinking the Republican Party hasn’t changed too much. I have seen them referred to as the ‘reasonable republican’, that’s who the Democrats want to hit at.”
Who else is implicated in the birthday book?
Former US president Bill Clinton is purported to be included in the birthday book, with his message allegedly applauding Epstein for his “childlike curiosity” and his “drive to make a difference”. A previous statement from the ex-president said he had cut ties with Epstein more than a decade before his arrest and was not aware of Epstein’s crimes. Lord Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador to Washington, also apparently wrote a birthday message in the book. The ambassador allegedly called Epstein his “best pal” and described Epstein as “mysterious”. Lord Mandelson has previously expressed regret about his association with the sex offender, saying: “I wish I’d never met him.”The i Paper has approached the British Embassy in Washington and the White House for comment on the allegations made against Lord Mandelson, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton respectively, but they did not respond at the time of publication.
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