US President Donald Trump has filed a staggering $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and its executives, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The legal action, lodged in Miami federal court on Friday, stems from a controversial report published by the newspaper that allegedly linked Trump to a sexually suggestive birthday greeting for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawsuit targets not only Murdoch and the WSJ but also Dow Jones and its Chief Executive Robert Thomson, along with two reporters who contributed to the article. In the suit, Trump claims that the report, which connects him to a 2003 birthday message for Epstein, has caused him “overwhelming” financial and reputational harm. The greeting reportedly featured a drawing of a naked woman, along with a cryptic message that hinted at shared “secrets.”
Trump has fervently denied the claims made by the WSJ, denouncing the publication as a “useless rag” on his Truth Social platform. “We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS ‘article’,” he stated, implying that the defendants will face extensive depositions as the case progresses.
A spokesperson for Dow Jones defended the newspaper’s integrity, asserting their “full confidence in the rigor and accuracy” of their journalism and promising a vigorous defence against the lawsuit. However, the lawsuit challenges the credibility of the report itself. It questions whether the WSJ obtained a copy of the alleged greeting, asking what evidence exists to substantiate the claims.
In order to succeed in his defamation claims, Trump will have to demonstrate that the WSJ acted with “actual malice,” implying that the newspaper either knew the information was false or exhibited a reckless disregard for its truth. Legal experts describe the $10 billion figure as exceptionally high, suggesting it would eclipse all known defamation verdicts in US history.
Amidst this legal battling, the Epstein affair continues to target the very heart of the White House. The Department of Justice recently put to rest longstanding conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s connections to the powerful, concluding he committed suicide while in custody and debunking the existence of an incriminating client list.
However, the president’s reversal on releasing Epstein-related documents had stirred resentment among loyal supporters. As pressure mounts for transparency, Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to take steps in court to unseal grand jury testimonies associated with Epstein and his former ally Ghislaine Maxwell. This move underscores the public’s continuing interest in the scandal, particularly in light of the recent ruling by the Justice Department.
The Wall Street Journal’s original article about the bizarre birthday message adds layers to a saga that has haunted Trump since Epstein’s ominous rise and tragic fall. The Journal detailed how the letter from Trump, included within a leather-bound birthday book gifted to Epstein, boasted not only typewritten text but also a detailed outline drawing of a nude woman, igniting further debate on the former president’s questionable associations.
Trump’s connections to Epstein have been scrutinised extensively, with documented instances of their friendship evident from the 1990s. Despite having been photographed together in social settings, Trump has claimed they parted ways long before Epstein’s legal predicaments began emerging publicly in 2006. “I had a falling out with him. I haven’t spoken to him in 15 years,” he stated in a 2019 communication, further distancing himself from the notorious financier.
As this legal confrontation unfolds, it is clear that both Trump’s future and the implications of the Epstein affair will continue to dominate headlines, raising questions about accountability and the deeper, murky connections between powerful figures in America.