House Dem gets Patel to agree to probe 'forged' Trump doodle to Epstein
September 17, 2025
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) got FBI Director Kash Patel to agree to investigate who created the image and comments attributed to President Donald Trump in the birthday book for accused child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Questioning Patel before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Moskowitz noted that the president alleged the inclusion of the drawing 22 years ago was "fake."
The Wall Street Journal reported the letter, which led Trump to sue on July 18 against the paper, reporters and executives, as well as News Corp’s owner Rupert Murdoch.
Trump claimed he knew nothing about the drawing or writing the note to Epstein.
“The supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE," claimed Trump at the time.
"It's not my signature. And it's not the way I speak. And anybody that's covered me for a long time, knows -- that's not my language,” Trump later said, outside of a restaurant in Washington, D.C., while speaking to ABC's Hannah Demissie.
"It's nonsense," he added.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the comments, saying on X, "As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. This is FAKE NEWS to perpetuate the Democrat Epstein Hoax!"
Vice President JD Vance added his voice in support of Trump on X, commenting that Democrats care only about "concocting another fake scandal" to "smear President Trump with lies."
So, Moskowitz asked if Patel would open an investigation to find the real creator of the drawing, and showed a video uploaded by independent journalist Aaron Rupar.
Patel asked, "On what basis?"
An animated Moskowitz cited Trump's own claims. "On what basis!? They literally put out a fake document, according to the president! With a fake signature! That's a forgery of the president of the United States' signature! That's the basis!"
"Sure, I'll do it," answered Patel.