Washington D.C., United States – US President Donald Trump has repeated his denial that he penned a lascivious birthday message to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Trump said the signature on the note to Epstein was not his. “It’s not my signature, and it’s not the way I speak. And anybody that has covered me for a long time knows that’s not my language,” Trump said. “It’s nonsense.”

The release of the note, contained in a 238-page scrapbook compiled to commemorate Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, has reignited long-simmering controversy over Trump’s connections to the late financier.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives published the suggestive letter on Monday after the scrapbook was turned over to lawmakers by Epstein’s estate.

The letter features a sketched outline of a naked woman with Trump’s purported signature in place of her pubic hair.

The White House has denied the authenticity of the letter, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, “the president did not write this letter. He did not sign this letter.” The White House has also said it would support a forensic analysis of the signature to prove it did not belong to Trump.

Trump previously denied writing the letter after its existence was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in July.

He has also sued the newspaper over the report, seeking at least $20 billion in damages. Trump has for months been dogged by questions about Epstein, including from some of his most ardent supporters.

Epstein, who had ties to some of the most prominent names in politics and business, has been the source of unproven theories for years.

Many of Trump’s supporters had backed his re-election in the belief he would reveal Epstein’s involvement in a vast conspiracy implicating figures at the very highest levels of power.

Like many elite figures, Trump associated with Epstein during the 1990s and 2000s, once describing him as a “terrific guy” who liked women “on the younger side”.

Trump has denied having prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and said the two men had a falling out more than two decades ago after Epstein tried to hire young women away from his Mar-a-Lago resort.

The controversy surrounding Trump’s alleged birthday note to Epstein has sparked intense debate and scrutiny. While Trump has repeatedly denied writing the note, the White House has supported a forensic analysis of the signature to prove its authenticity.

Many have criticized Trump’s denial of writing the note, saying it’s easy to lie about a dead man.

Some believe that if Epstein were alive, he would have validated the authenticity of the note. Trump’s repeated denials have sparked questions about his credibility and transparency.

This criticism highlights the challenges of verifying information when one party involved is deceased, and the importance of thorough investigations in such cases.

As the investigation continues, the public remains divided on the issue, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability.