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Donald Trump is once again at the center of controversy as past explicit remarks and a newly reported scandal tied to Jeffrey Epstein have resurfaced.
One of the most talked-about moments is from 2005, when Trump told Howard Stern that he would walk into dressing rooms during his time running the Miss Universe pageants. “They’re standing there with no clothes… I sort of get away with things like that,” Trump said. Though the contestants were mostly adults, some former Miss Teen USA participants later claimed he did the same with them, raising long-standing concerns about inappropriate behaviour.
This old clip became a flashpoint again during his 2016 campaign, especially after the infamous Access Hollywood tape came out. In that recording, also from 2005, Trump bragged about grabbing women without consent, saying, “When you’re a star, they let you do it.” Together, both clips painted a troubling picture of Trump’s attitude toward women, particularly those much younger and in vulnerable settings like beauty contests.
Now, attention is shifting to a new report by The Wall Street Journal that claims Trump once sent Epstein a lewd birthday card back in 2003. The card allegedly included a sketch of a naked woman and a note saying, “Happy Birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret,” signed with Trump’s signature. Law enforcement sources confirmed the card’s existence as part of Epstein’s private album, reportedly maintained by Ghislaine Maxwell and later reviewed during federal investigations.
Trump has denied sending the card, calling the story fake and threatening legal action against The Journal, News Corp, and even Rupert Murdoch personally. This comes just days after a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that there is no “Epstein client list,” contradicting earlier hints she made in conservative media. The memo also reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide, another flashpoint that continues to fuel speculation and conspiracy theories online.
The political fallout is spreading fast. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reportedly considered resigning due to the internal drama. Trump has since ordered Bondi to push for the unsealing of Epstein grand jury materials, a legal step that could take months, if not longer, to play out.
While Trump’s base remains loyal, the combination of old behaviour and new allegations is stirring serious debate again, especially as he looks toward the 2024 election.