Congressional Republicans are downplaying the implications of a note purportedly written by former President Donald Trump in a birthday book related to Jeffrey Epstein, amidst escalating scrutiny and a divided public opinion. The note, part of the materials from Epstein's estate, was made public by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee this Monday. It features what appears to be Trump's signature next to a sketch of a woman's figure, accompanied by the remark, “We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.”

Despite the provocative nature of the note, GOP leaders are cautious in their responses. Speaker Mike Johnson expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the signature linked to Trump. "I don't. They say it's not," Johnson stated when queried about his belief in the note’s legitimacy.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune echoed this sentiment, highlighting the ongoing debate over the signature's authenticity. "There's a dispute about whether that's really his signature," Thune remarked, suggesting that the issue would remain contentious.

Further distancing from the controversy, House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) indicated that validating the signature was not a priority for his committee. "The focus, again, is on trying to provide justice to the victims," Comer emphasized, underlining a broader intent to ensure accountability in the Epstein case rather than dwell on the note.

Trump himself has vehemently denied maintaining ties with Epstein, asserting that their association ended well before Epstein's 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges. He has also repeatedly dismissed the ongoing probes into his connections with Epstein as a “hoax.”

Meanwhile, the White House is actively opposing a bipartisan legislative effort that would mandate a swift release of all Justice Department materials related to the Epstein case within 30 days. Despite this, the GOP leadership continues to support the House Oversight Committee's investigation into the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein saga, which has so far yielded limited new information.

As the debate rages on, the core issue remains the pursuit of justice for Epstein's victims, overshadowed by political maneuvering and unresolved questions about Trump's possible past connections to Epstein. The controversy underscores the complex interplay between justice, political power, and public accountability, with no clear resolution in sight.

*Meredith Lee Hill and Jordain Carney contributed to this report.*