Inside Epstein’s infamous “birthday book": Clinton’s note, poolside candids and bizarre animal pics

Epstein victims share their stories

Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram has the latest on the Epstein files on 'Special Report.'

Among the files made public by the House Oversight Committee is a document that stands out for its tone: a glossy 238-page scrapbook that offers a rare and unusually intimate glimpse of Jeffrey Epstein’s self-curated network. 

The infamous "birthday book," compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003, for Epstein's 50th includes what appears to be notes from former President Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, as well as photographs that juxtapose girlfriends, animals, children's drawings with financiers and politicians — a tableau that feels all the more unsettling today.

BILL CLINTON LETTER IN EPSTEIN 'BIRTHDAY BOOK' AMONG NEW FILES RELEASED BY HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Maxwell wrote to Epstein at the beginning of the book that she wanted to "gather stories and old photographs to jog your memory about places, people and different events." She hoped he would "derive as much pleasure from looking through it" as she did assembling it for him.

Later in the book, a photo of the two canoodling appears with a caption that reads "the first date," marked with the year 1991.

A photo showing Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein with a caption that says "the first date" and the year 1991. (House Oversight Committee)

Maxwell was found guilty in 2021 of sex trafficking and other offenses, and is serving a 20-year prison term. Prosecutors said she played a central role in Epstein’s scheme, luring underage girls into what began as massages and escalated into sexual abuse.

Now 63 and incarcerated since her 2020 arrest, Maxwell told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in late August that she had no role in the sexual exploitation of minors. When asked about the "birthday book," she told Blanche that she could only remember some parts of it, adding that it had been years since she compiled it. 

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Among the book’s entries is an apparent note from Bill Clinton, where the former Democratic president praises Epstein’s "childlike curiosity" and his "drive to make a difference" as well as the "[illegible] of friends."

This note attributed to Bill Clinton was found in the "birthday book." (House Oversight Committee)

Dershowitz, a former Harvard University law professor who once represented Epstein during criminal investigations, used his birthday note to make a joke about influencing media coverage.

"Dear Jeffrey, as a birthday gift to you, I managed to obtain an early version of the Vanity Unfair article. I talked them into changing the focus from you to Bill Clinton, as you will see from the enclosed excerpt. Happy birthday and best regards," the entry said.

Family photos of Jeffrey Epstein were also included in the birthday book. (House Oversight Committee)

Dershowitz has repeatedly denied wrongdoing as it relates to Epstein.

The birthday book also contained sentimental messages from family and friends. In one note, Epstein's mother, Pauline Stolofsky Epstein, wrote that she's been "very busy reminiscing since Ghislaine asked me to write about you." 

"Jeff[,] you have been a good son since day one and we have been proud of you ever since," Epstein's mother said.

The birthday book featured pictures of Epstein as a child. (House Oversight Committee)

"I recall you refused to sleep [as a child] unless I read a story from Grandma's Golden Book that she bought for 25c," she added. "At PTA meetings I begged your teachers to improve your handwriting."

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She also referenced Epstein's life as a bachelor, as well as his prominent media shout-outs.

"At age 21 Cosmopolitan magazine featured you as 'Bachelor of the Month," Pauline Epstein wrote. "Today you still hold that title."

A clipping that shows Jeffrey Epstein advertised as the "bachelor of the month." (House Oversight Committee)

"Jeff, I'm so sorry that Dad can't share the nachus [pride] we have regarding your achievements," she added. "He would have been overjoyed reading the article about you in the New York magazine." 

The book features hundreds of photos from throughout Epstein's life until age 50, including pictures of him as a child and a teenager.

The birthday book contained intimate photos of Jeffrey Epstein and his friends. (House Oversight Committee)

Some of the earlier images included family pictures, formal school photos and pictures of him hanging out with friends as a teenager.

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The book also had revealing images of Epstein shirtless, Epstein embracing women and what appears to be a censored photo of him and Maxwell laughing and embracing in a pool. Pictures of mating lions and zebras were also included in the book.

A censored photo of Epstein and Maxwell laughing and embracing in a pool was also included. (House Oversight Committee)

A picture of a woman in a bikini was also included with the caption, "Visiting you down in Palm Beach. Can't get a second of privacy with you and a camera around ha ha!"

Upon the files' release, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the House Oversight Committee, accused Democrats of previously "cherry-picking" the documents.

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"Oversight Committee Republicans are focused on running a thorough investigation to bring transparency and accountability for survivors of Epstein’s heinous crimes and the American people," Comer said.

Amanda covers the intersection of business and geopolitics for Fox News Digital.