President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its owners, including media magnate Rupert Murdoch, seeking at least $10bn in damages over a report concerning his relationship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump filed the lawsuit in federal court in the Southern District of Florida on Friday, while simultaneously instructing the Justice Department to file a motion in Manhattan federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Epstein and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of five federal charges connected to Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.
The defamation lawsuit accuses Dow Jones, News Corp, Murdoch, and two Wall Street Journal reporters of acting with malicious intent, causing significant financial and reputational harm. Dow Jones serves as the newspaper’s parent company under News Corp.
Prior to filing, Trump posted on Truth Social: “I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper, the WSJ. That will be an interesting experience!!!”
Dow Jones responded that it will “vigorously defend” against the legal action. “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit,” a spokesperson stated.
Disputed Birthday Letter
Thursday’s Wall Street Journal report described a letter allegedly bearing Trump’s signature sent to Epstein for a birthday celebration. The newspaper claimed the letter contained a handwritten message reading “Happy Birthday โ and may every day be another wonderful secret,” signed “Donald.”
Trump has denied sending the letter and criticized the publication following its release.
Trump previously acknowledged considering Epstein a friend. The controversy surrounding Epstein, who died by suicide in prison, has generated conspiracy theories, particularly among Trump’s supporters.
Recent developments have frustrated Trump’s base after Attorney General Pam Bondi reversed the administration’s campaign pledge to release court documents that some believed contained revealing information about Epstein and his alleged connections to prominent individuals.
Epstein Case Background
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. Many Trump supporters believe the government is concealing Epstein’s relationships with influential figures, with some questioning the official cause of death.
A July 7 Justice Department memo concluded that Epstein killed himself and stated there was “no incriminating client list” or evidence of blackmail involving prominent individuals.
Despite earlier promises to reveal “a lot of names” and “a lot of flight logs,” Bondi changed course on these commitments. On Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche cited public interest in prompting the Justice Department’s request to unseal case transcripts.
Trump, who was photographed with Epstein at various social events during the 1990s and early 2000s, told reporters in 2019 that he ended his relationship with Epstein before legal issues emerged.
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