Trump’s signature, a symbol of presidential power, is under new scrutiny thanks to the Epstein case

The Associated Press quotes Tamara Plakins Thornton in an article about the scrutiny around President Trump’s signature in relation to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Thornton, whom the story notes is the author of “Handwriting in America: A Cultural History,” said handwritten signatures have conferred authority and authenticity “by consent” since the printing press raised their popularity in the 19th century. “We have a fondness for signatures as marks of the unique self,” she said. “But of course it’s kind of baloney if you think about it. It’s been a long time since (a signature) really could give that rock-solid proof.”