Leah McElrath

I look forward to the day when we no longer find ourselves awake at 3am discussing powerful pedophiles. Perhaps that’s overly optimistic though.

Basically, it’s too pat, and there are significant discrepancies. And honestly, it just doesn’t sound to me like Epstein’s written voice—at least not the one he used in emails. If handwriting analysis or other authentication supports Epstein being the author, I’ll be very glad. But I’m skeptical.

Another discrepancy is the postmark on the letter says “NOVA 220,” which is the Northern Virginia USPS processing center, but Epstein was incarcerated in New York City and any letters mailed from there would most likely have been processed at a USPS facility in or near New York. https://enoki.us-east.host.bsky.network/xrpc/com.atproto.sync.getBlob?did=did:plc:gvda6fem6r7selm4gzjjww4a&cid=bafkreig7o5mmdcjegcimifu26i7az2ajsry5vu3ie7tvgtvq76tjxl2nyy

Below are a couple of examples of Epstein’s signature on his passport applications. You can see what I mean about it being stylized and illegible—and nothing like the signature or handwriting in the letter. (However, again: it is possible to write one’s name very differently from one’s signature.) https://enoki.us-east.host.bsky.network/xrpc/com.atproto.sync.getBlob?did=did:plc:gvda6fem6r7selm4gzjjww4a&cid=bafkreicumxclj6k6tmdjzijxwomq62kttwvjdubolehcunpgnohbusxpsa https://enoki.us-east.host.bsky.network/xrpc/com.atproto.sync.getBlob?did=did:plc:gvda6fem6r7selm4gzjjww4a&cid=bafkreigxr7jmufrbzv4jshaqbuxvxes5zpj6y2mqvca4crfyv6oya6dq3a

A pre-suicide confessional written by Epstein implicating Trump or a sick exercise written by a different and unknown party? I want it to be the former, but—at this point and for a variety of reasons—I have to say I am leaning toward it being the latter. I advise caution. FWIW.

The FBI apparently did send it out for handwriting analysis. Good thread here: View quoted note →

I wonder if handwriting analysis has been performed on the letter. There are almost no public examples of Epstein’s handwriting, but there are a couple of his signature. His signature was typically stylized and illegible—but mine is too, and I write my name very differently if it needs to be read. View quoted note →

I am so sick of this deranged and evil blowhard.

Trump says the New York Times is a “threat to the National Security of our Nation” and a “TRUE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.” (Given how he uses specious claims of national security threats to justify his actions, this could be an opening salvo in a campaign to shut down the NYT or to extort money from it.) https://enoki.us-east.host.bsky.network/xrpc/com.atproto.sync.getBlob?did=did:plc:gvda6fem6r7selm4gzjjww4a&cid=bafkreig6pjp56ztusefaqa6u2embmdozkr4r3luonwhws5bedwx3ioltx4

OMG, he is so clearly coked up—what is even happening?! (Also, when did his ears get so big? I’ve never noticed that before. They even distracted me from his obvious cocaine-related behaviors for a moment.) View quoted note →