Fact Check: Is photo showing Barack Obama and Jeffrey Epstein drinking beer in Southeast Asia real?

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump's administration faced criticism recently following the Department of Justice's (DOJ) investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case. The DOJ memo stated that there were no "client lists" associated with the disgraced financier and added that he committed suicide in prison.

Meanwhile, a rumor began circulating claiming that a photograph authentically shows former President Barack Obama drinking beer in Southeast Asia with the convicted sex offender. But is there any truth to this? Let’s find out below.

Claim: Photo shows Barack Obama and Jeffrey Epstein drinking beer in Southeast Asia

In July 2025, a picture went viral that purportedly showed former President Barack Obama drinking beer with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Several posts claimed the photo was taken in Thailand.  

One X user posted the image with the caption, "It was buried by the press, but not only were Obama and Jeffrey Epstein friends, they traveled around Thailand together, in search of 'the perfect spring roll'."

Similarly, another X user shared the photo and wrote, "Any DUMBocrats want to explain this picture of Obama and Jeffrey Epstein drinking beers in Southeast Asia?"

Fact Check: False, the picture shows Barack Obama with late chef Anthony Bourdain

The viral claim is false. The man seen with Barack Obama in the photo is not Jeffrey Epstein, but the late chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain.

The photo was taken in 2016 during Bourdain's interview with Obama at a small restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam, for an episode of his CNN show 'Parts Unknown.' During the segment, the two shared a meal of bun cha and drank local beer while discussing topics such as Obama's time in Southeast Asia, parenting, and political division. 

Tragically, Bourdain died by suicide in 2018. Following his death, Obama shared the same photo and captioned it: "Low plastic stool, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer. This is how I'll remember Tony. He taught us about food,  but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We'll miss him."

House Democrats demand access to Jeffrey Epstein’s 2003 'birthday book'

House Democrats are demanding access to a document known as Jeffrey Epstein's "birthday book", a 2003 compilation allegedly created by Ghislaine Maxwell to commemorate Epstein's 50th birthday.

The book is also said to contain a provocative letter from President Donald Trump.

Representatives Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia, both California Democrats serving on the House Oversight Committee, formally requested the immediate release of an unredacted copy of the document in a letter sent on July 25 to attorneys representing Epstein’s estate. 

They described the book as a potential key to understanding not only Epstein’s social network, but also why certain documents were selectively declassified by the Trump administration while others were withheld.

The letter stated, "Recent public reporting indicates that the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein is in possession of a document commonly referred to as ‘the birthday book,’ compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003. This book has clear relevance to this case."

It continued, "The book is relevant for ongoing congressional oversight of the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein investigation and prosecution, as well as the Trump administration's decision to declassify and release only a handful of documents from its Epstein files while withholding others from the public."

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