The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that a prison postcard, purportedly written by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to former USA Olympic doctor Larry Nassar, is a forgery, the agency said on Tuesday. The announcement comes amid the ongoing, massive release of documents related to Epstein’s crimes, which has stirred intense public scrutiny and speculation.
The postcard, allegedly penned before Epstein’s suicide in August 2019, contained shocking language claiming that “our president” loved “young, nubile girls.” While President Donald Trump held office at the time, the note did not explicitly name him. Its release as part of the Department of Justice’s expansive file dump prompted immediate attention and controversy, raising questions about authenticity and the nature of the evidence.
FBI Investigation Rules Postcard Bogus
In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly before 3:30 pm Eastern Time, the DOJ clarified the FBI’s findings: “The FBI has confirmed this alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar is FAKE. The fake letter was received by the jail and flagged for the FBI at the time. The FBI made this conclusion based on the following facts: the writing does not appear to match Jeffrey Epstein’s handwriting, and the letter was postmarked three days after Epstein’s death out of Northern Virginia, while he was held in New York.”
The investigation also highlighted inconsistencies with the return address. Standard procedures require outgoing prison mail to include the inmate’s housing location and identification number, neither of which appeared on the postcard. “The return address did not list the jail where Epstein was held and did not include his inmate number, which is required for outgoing mail,” the statement said.
The DOJ emphasized that the incident serves as a cautionary tale. “This fake letter serves as a reminder that just because a document is released by the Department of Justice does not make the allegations or claims within the document factual. Nevertheless, the DOJ will continue to release all material required by law.”
Alleged Contents of the Postcard
The note, signed “Yours, J. Epstein” and addressed to “L.N.” (Nassar’s initials), allegedly read:
“As you know by now, I have taken the ‘short route’ home. Good luck! We shared one thing… our love & caring for young ladies at the hope they’d reach their full potential. Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to ‘grab snatch,’ whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system. Life is unfair.”
Though the contents were sensational, the FBI’s conclusion renders them illegitimate. Notably, Trump has never been accused of wrongdoing in Epstein’s sexual abuse network, and the agency’s findings reinforce that the postcard is not evidence of criminal activity by the former president.
Historical Context of Epstein and Nassar
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier with high-profile connections, was arrested in 2019 on sex trafficking charges. He died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell later that year. Epstein’s network implicated numerous wealthy and powerful figures, and the ongoing DOJ releases have sought to provide transparency about the scope of his activities and those around him.
Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics team doctor, was convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse and child pornography offenses, resulting in a 60-year prison sentence in December 2017. Investigations found that Nassar abused approximately 300 athletes under the guise of medical treatment, including elite gymnasts such as Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney.
In his victim impact statement, Maroney described the lasting trauma: “He abused my trust, he abused my body and he left scars on my psyche that may never go away.” Similarly, Biles testified before Congress in 2021, emphasizing the enduring impact of Nassar’s crimes and advocating for stronger protections for athletes.
Postcard Discovery and Public Release
The purported postcard was first noted in 2023, when it was reportedly found returned to sender in a New York prison mailroom after Epstein’s death. At the time, Nassar was incarcerated in Sumterville, Florida, having been transferred from a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, in 2018 after an alleged attack. The returned letter reportedly carried a stamp indicating that the recipient was “no longer” at the address.
An investigator who discovered the postcard at the time recalled uncertainty about handling it. “I am not sure if I should open it or should we hand it over to anyone?” the official said, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Despite initial curiosity and its inclusion in the DOJ’s document release, the FBI’s analysis has now clarified that the document was not authentic.
Legal and Public Implications
The revelation underscores the challenges associated with the release of extensive government documents. While transparency is critical, especially in cases involving high-profile criminal activity, the sheer volume of material can create confusion and allow for the dissemination of fraudulent claims. Experts note that the episode highlights the importance of forensic verification before drawing conclusions from such releases.
“The FBI’s confirmation that the postcard is fake demonstrates the necessity of careful scrutiny,” said a criminal justice analyst familiar with the Epstein case. “Just because a document appears in an official release doesn’t automatically validate its claims. In this case, the allegations were sensational, but ultimately, they are not grounded in verified evidence.”
For Trump, the clarification may help temper political and media narratives linking him to Epstein beyond previously established reporting. The former president’s defenders have consistently noted that he has not been credibly implicated in Epstein’s crimes, and the FBI’s findings reinforce that point.
Ongoing DOJ Document Releases
The Department of Justice has continued to release tens of thousands of pages of files, including photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, and court documents. While many of these files were already public or heavily redacted, officials assert that the releases fulfill legal obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted to shed light on the scope of the financier’s criminal network.
Despite the volume of materials, there have been challenges. Some records, such as FBI victim interviews and internal memos concerning prosecutorial decisions, have not been made public. Advocates for survivors have criticized delays and incomplete disclosures, arguing that partial releases can perpetuate harm and confusion.
“Releasing materials in fragments, with extensive redactions, risks obscuring the truth rather than illuminating it,” said a spokesperson for one group of Epstein victims. “The FBI’s work in identifying fraudulent documents, like this postcard, is essential to maintaining accuracy and credibility in the public record.”
Broader Context: Misinformation Risks
The fake postcard incident illustrates broader concerns about misinformation in highly charged legal and political environments. In high-profile cases, documents—real or fabricated—can rapidly circulate on social media, shaping perceptions and inflaming controversy. Experts emphasize the importance of relying on verified sources and forensic evaluation before making claims or assumptions.
“High-profile documents like this can be weaponized to push narratives, whether political, personal, or sensational,” said a legal communications specialist. “The FBI’s intervention here prevents false information from being used as evidence, intentionally or otherwise.”
Nassar’s Sentence and Legacy
Larry Nassar’s conviction and lengthy prison sentence represent one of the largest and most publicized sexual abuse scandals in American sports history. Following his sentencing, more than 150 women provided victim impact statements, detailing the physical and emotional toll of his crimes.
Biles, Maroney, and other survivors have since advocated for reforms to ensure that youth sports organizations better protect athletes from abuse. The ongoing Epstein document releases, even with occasional fraudulent items like the postcard, provide context for understanding the systemic failures that allowed predatory behavior to flourish among powerful figures.
Conclusion
The FBI’s confirmation that the Epstein-to-Nassar postcard is fake offers clarity amid a storm of speculation and sensational reporting. While the document’s content was shocking, forensic analysis has decisively demonstrated that it did not originate from Epstein.
For the public, the incident reinforces the need for critical scrutiny when reviewing documents in the sprawling DOJ releases. For survivors of Epstein and Nassar, the ongoing transparency remains important, though accuracy and verification are essential to prevent the spread of false or misleading narratives.
As the Department of Justice continues its staggered release of Epstein-related files, officials assert that every effort will be made to ensure materials are both thorough and accurate, providing the public and legal authorities with a clearer picture of the crimes committed by Epstein and his associates—and preventing fabricated documents from gaining undue credibility.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
