MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough delivered a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump’s claims that the Jeffrey Epstein birthday card scandal represents a “Democratic hoax,” highlighting that the story originated from a conservative news outlet rather than liberal media sources.
During Tuesday morning’s broadcast on September 9, 2025, Scarborough dismantled Trump’s defense by pointing out that the Wall Street Journal broke the story about Trump’s alleged relationship with the convicted sex trafficker. The Journal, owned by Rupert Murdoch, represents what Scarborough characterized as the most powerful conservative media organization globally.
Scarborough emphasized that the reporting came from Murdoch’s conservative media empire, not from Democrats or left-wing news organizations. He noted that the Wall Street Journal has consistently continued reporting on the story since first breaking it in July.
The controversy centers on a birthday card allegedly sent by Trump to Epstein for the late financier’s 50th birthday in 2003. The House Oversight Committee released the card on Monday, which features a crude sketch of a nude woman accompanied by Trump’s signature as pubic hair and a bizarre exchange about enigmas and secrets.
Trump currently maintains a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over the letter, which his administration claims is a forgery. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on Monday that Trump did not draw the picture or sign it, calling it fake news perpetuating what she termed the “Democrat Epstein Hoax.”
However, the newspaper has since published additional reporting indicating that the signature on the card bears remarkable resemblance to Trump’s signature from that time period. Co-host Jonathan Lemire questioned the logistics of how the Wall Street Journal or Democrats could have fabricated a birthday card that was handed directly to the House Oversight Committee by executors of Epstein’s estate.
Lemire pointed out that the card has been in the Epstein estate since 2003, noting it would represent quite a long game to plant a birthday card more than two decades ago if this were indeed a hoax targeting Trump.
The “Morning Joe” hosts’ criticism of Trump’s hoax claims comes amid ongoing tensions between the MSNBC program and the Trump administration. Scarborough and co-host Mika Brzezinski previously met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November 2024, drawing criticism from Democrats and former colleagues who accused them of opportunism.
Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has publicly called for the network to fire both Scarborough and Brzezinski, writing in Variety that they welcomed “our new insect overlords” and suggesting the network continue their show without them. Olbermann characterized the hosts as “Mr. and Mrs. Scared-Bro.”
The Epstein-related allegations have created additional complications for Trump’s administration. Sources close to the situation indicate Trump is reportedly angry about how the Epstein story is affecting his international relationships, particularly regarding a planned visit to the United Kingdom.
Scarborough’s background adds complexity to his current criticism of Trump. The MSNBC host previously served as a Republican congressman from Florida from 1995 to 2001, before transitioning to television and eventually becoming a Democrat in 2017. Critics have characterized his political evolution as opportunistic, with sources suggesting he prioritizes success and social status over consistent principles.
The birthday card controversy represents one of several ongoing legal and political challenges facing the Trump administration. Special counsel investigations continue examining various aspects of Trump’s business relationships, while congressional committees maintain oversight responsibilities regarding potential conflicts of interest.
Trump’s response to the Epstein allegations follows a pattern of dismissing unfavorable coverage as hoaxes or fake news, despite the conservative credentials of the reporting outlets involved. The Wall Street Journal’s continued coverage suggests the story will remain a focal point for both media coverage and political opposition.
The House Oversight Committee’s decision to release the birthday card materials indicates ongoing congressional interest in examining Trump’s historical business relationships and associations. Committee Democrats have suggested additional materials may be forthcoming as their investigation continues.