Giant banner of birthday note sent to Epstein sparks controversy in Washington

As debates continue regarding the Epstein investigation, which remains in the public eye, an unusual art installation in the capital, Washington, has drawn attention. An artist collective identifying itself as “The Secret Handshake” has begun displaying a reproduction of a birthday note, measuring over three meters, on the National Mall, which is said to have been sent to businessman Jeffrey Epstein and bears the name of then-US President Donald Trump.

It is reported that the message in question was found among a collection of letters given to Epstein in the early 2000s. The front of the card features a drawing of a naked woman, the signature “Donald,” and the following words:

“Happy birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

On the back of the card, there is a message that reads, “Happy birthday to a great guy!” A sign next to the installation calls on visitors to write the messages they wish to convey to the Trump administration. It was also reported that the installation will remain in the area until Friday, January 23.

Documents released last year indicate that the birthday note in question is part of the comprehensive Epstein archive released by the US House Committee on Oversight in September. The archive contains numerous documents, ranging from personal items from Epstein’s youth to private photo collections. It is alleged that this special “birthday book” was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, from Epstein’s inner circle, and enriched with private notes and candid photos.

The note, which was previously reported by The Wall Street Journal, caused a major stir at the time, while Trump denied writing the card and having a close relationship with Epstein. Trump had pursued legal avenues against the report, stating that the signature on the card did not belong to him and could have been forged by someone else. Furthermore, it was recalled that despite his name appearing in the file, Trump has not faced any legal charges.

EPSTEIN INVESTIGATION HAS STIRRED THE WORLD

It is noteworthy that the latest development coincides with a period of increasing demands for transparency in the Epstein case. In a statement made at the beginning of January, the US Department of Justice announced that only 12,285 documents from the files related to Epstein have been made public so far, and that this number is less than one percent of all files. It was emphasized that the review of over two million files is still ongoing. A legal regulation passed last year mandates that all documents belonging to Epstein must be released no later than December 19, 2025.

The “The Secret Handshake” group has previously created striking art installations on the National Mall regarding Epstein and Trump. The group’s past projects include the “Best Friends Forever” statue showing Trump and Epstein together, the bronze “The Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame” tiki torch that references Trump’s controversial 2017 remarks, and the installation titled “Dictator Approved,” which features a golden hand figure crushing the crown of the Statue of Liberty.

News Source: 12punto