US President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal owner News Corp, News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch and two WSJ reporters.
He is seeking compensation of at least $10 billion for the publication, which claims that in 2003 Trump allegedly sent Jeffrey Epstein a congratulatory letter with a candid drawing and a hint of “shared secrets”. Trump insists the article is knowingly false and has caused enormous damage to his reputation and financial interests.
The lawsuit has been filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida.
“Waiting with interest for Rupert Murdoch to testify in court… It will be interesting,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
A spokesperson for Dow Jones (a subsidiary of News Corp), which is the publisher of the WSJ, said in an official comment regarding Trump’s filing of the lawsuit:
“We have full confidence in the rigour and accuracy of our journalistic work and intend to vigorously defend ourselves against any lawsuits”
Jeffrey Epstein-financier who was accused of creating a network to recruit and sexually exploit underage girls that operated for years. He committed suicide in prison while in custody in 2019. His accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence.
Trump supporters suspect authorities are covering up Epstein’s ties to powerful figures. Under public pressure, Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek declassification of grand jury transcripts in the Epstein and Maxwell cases. The DOJ has already filed a motion to do so, promising to protect the victims’ identities.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump’s letter was allegedly included in a gift book for Epstein’s birthday. It contained phrases framed by a drawing of a nude woman and signed “Donald.” Trump, who was friends with Epstein, claims to have severed ties with him long before his first arrest.