Trump Sues Murdoch Over Epstein Birthday Letter
Trump Sues Murdoch, News Corp, and Reporters for $10 Billion Over Epstein Letter Allegations
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Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit seeking no less than $10 billion in damages, accusing Rupert Murdoch, his company News corp, its CEO Robert Thomson, Dow Jones & Co., and two reporters of defamation. The suit, lodged in federal court in the Southern District of Florida, centers on an article published by The Wall Street Journal alleging Trump authored a letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
The Allegations and Trump’s Response
The lawsuit contends that the article, co-authored by Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo, falsely claimed Trump authored, drew, and signed a card to wish Epstein a happy fiftieth birthday. Trump vehemently denies writing the letter, which the suit states was purportedly reviewed by criminal investigators building cases against Epstein and his convicted procurer, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump took to Truth Social to express his outrage, calling the article “false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS” and labeling The Wall Street Journal a “useless ‘rag’.” He further stated his anticipation of Rupert Murdoch testifying in his lawsuit, calling it an “fascinating experience!!!”
The suit specifically targets the Journal’s description of the letter, alleging that Safdar and Palazzolo falsely represented as fact that Trump drew a naked woman with a heavy marker, including details about her breasts, and signed his name “Donald” below her waist, “mimicking pubic hair.” The lawsuit asserts that Dow Jones and News Corp, under the direction of Murdoch and thomson, published these “false, defamatory, and malignant statements.”
Dow jones’ Stance
A spokesperson for Dow Jones issued a statement to CNBC asserting, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
Broader Context of the Lawsuit
This legal action comes at a time when Trump is facing increased pressure regarding the Justice Department’s investigative files concerning Jeffrey Epstein,who died by suicide in August 2019 after his arrest on federal child sex trafficking charges. the Journal’s article suggested the letter in question was among documents examined by investigators.