Washington, D.C. – Earlier, President Donald Trump filed a high-stakes defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its parent company News Corp, owner Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters, seeking at least $10 billion in damages over a July article that alleged he sent a lewd birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
Trump vehemently denies authoring the note, which reportedly featured a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman and suggestive text, calling it a “fake” and accusing the newspaper of malicious reporting amid ongoing scrutiny of his past ties to the disgraced financier.
The suit, filed in federal court in Miami, escalates tensions with Murdoch’s media empire and comes as the administration faces bipartisan pressure to release more Epstein-related files.
The Controversial WSJ Report
The Wall Street Journal published the story on July 17, detailing a collection of “dozens” of birthday notes compiled by Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell for the financier’s 50th birthday.
Among them was a letter bearing Trump’s name, described as containing typewritten text framed by a marker-drawn outline of a naked woman, complete with arcs representing breasts and Trump’s signature “Donald” positioned below the waist to resemble pubic hair.
The note reportedly included a dialogue between Trump and Epstein, starting with “Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,” and concluding with, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The Journal, which reviewed the letter as part of Epstein investigation materials, noted it was among documents federal investigators examined. Trump, interviewed by the paper on July 15,, immediately denied involvement, stating, “This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story. I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women. It’s not my language. It’s not my words.” He threatened to sue if the story ran, a vow he fulfilled days later.
The article has since been defended by Dow Jones, the Journal’s publisher, which stated it has “full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting” and will “vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
Trump’s Lawsuit and Immediate Backlash
On July 18, Trump followed through, filing the libel suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint accuses the defendants of defamation through “false, malicious, defamatory, and disparaging” claims that caused “overwhelming financial and reputational harm.” It alleges the Journal failed to provide proof of the letter’s authenticity, such as attaching the document or explaining its sourcing, and acted with “actual malice” by ignoring Trump’s pre-publication warnings.
In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump escalated the rhetoric, writing on July 17, “The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued. Mr. Murdoch stated that he would take care of it but, obviously, did not have the power to do so. The Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Emma Tucker, was told directly by Karoline Leavitt, and by President Trump, that the letter was a FAKE, but Emma Tucker didn’t want to hear that. Instead, they are going with a false, malicious, and defamatory story anyway.”
Trump announced the filing as a “POWERHOUSE Lawsuit” on July 18, vowing to sue the Journal, News Corp, and Murdoch “shortly” and adding, “The Press has to learn to be truthful, and not rely on sources that probably don’t even exist … If there were any truth at all on the Epstein Hoax, as it pertains to President Trump, this information would have been revealed by Comey, Brennan, Crooked Hillary, and other Radical Left Lunatics years ago.”
He expressed eagerness for Murdoch to testify, calling the Journal a “pile of garbage newspaper.”
The suit marks the first defamation case filed by a sitting president against a major news outlet, though Trump has a history of media litigation, including multimillion-dollar settlements with ABC and CBS in 2024 and 2025. Legal experts note the high bar for public figures like Trump, who must prove “actual malice” under New York Times v. Sullivan standards. Florida’s anti-SLAPP laws may also pose procedural hurdles, requiring a five-day pre-suit notice that the complaint appears not to have fully addressed.
Epstein Fallout and Administration’s Response
The WSJ report emerged amid a broader controversy over the Trump administration’s handling of Epstein’s case. A July 7, Department of Justice memo concluded Epstein died by suicide in 2019, found no evidence of a “client list” or blackmail of prominent figures, and announced no further public releases—contradicting campaign promises of full transparency. This ignited fury among Trump’s MAGA base, who accused the administration of a cover-up, with some theories amplified by officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi.
In response to the backlash, Trump directed Bondi on July 17 to seek court approval for releasing Epstein’s grand jury testimony, a motion filed the next day in New York federal court. The DOJ argued the materials qualify as a “matter of public interest,” potentially including testimony from Epstein’s 2000s Florida case and Maxwell’s proceedings. However, experts caution that grand jury secrecy rules make full unsealing unlikely, and the request may exclude key evidence like videos or witness interviews.
Trump has distanced himself from Epstein, calling him a “creep” in early July 2025 and claiming he “kicked him out” of Mar-a-Lago years before Epstein’s 2006 legal troubles. Despite this, their documented social ties in the 1990s and 2000s, including photos and Trump’s 2002 New York magazine quote praising Epstein as a “terrific guy” who likes “beautiful women… on the younger side,” continue to fuel speculation. No evidence links Trump to Epstein’s crimes for now, and he has repeatedly labeled the scrutiny a “hoax” orchestrated by Democrats.
Ghislaine Maxwell, serving 20 years for sex trafficking, met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on July 24-25, 2025, under limited immunity to discuss potential accomplices. She reportedly did not recall a Trump letter, adding to the debate over the WSJ’s claims.
Reactions from Critics and Supporters
The story has polarized reactions. Democratic Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) posted on X, “Like all things Trump, this is simultaneously disgusting and entirely unsurprising. He is exactly who we always understood him to be.”
Tech reporter Kara Swisher told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on July 17, “Even if he denies it … it creates a feeling, and especially online, that gets amplified and really weaponized in a lot of ways. So it’s not going to end here until he releases these files in some substantive way, which he seems reluctant to do…”
On X, speculation and defenses abound. A poll shared by DD Geopolitics on August 30 indicated 60% of Americans believe the letter is real, including 40% of Republicans, while 79% suspect a cover-up in the Epstein case overall. Influencers like Laura Loomer called it “totally fake,” and Charlie Kirk questioned its authenticity, noting, “This is not how Trump talks at all.” Vice President JD Vance labeled the story “complete and utter bull****” on X.
Supporters rallied, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and others backing Trump’s push for grand jury unsealing via a bipartisan discharge petition. Critics, including Sen. Cory Booker, have cited the letter in demands for accountability, though Trump allies dismiss it as unverified “hearsay.”
Why It Matters
The lawsuit highlights Trump’s ongoing battle with the media, potentially chilling coverage despite its slim chances of success. As of September 3, the case remains in early stages, with the Journal standing firm. It coincides with congressional efforts: The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the DOJ in August for Epstein records, and a bipartisan press conference with victims, pushing for full disclosure.
Public polls show eroding trust, with 66% of voters including 47% of Republicans urging Congress to press Trump for more information. The Epstein saga, involving over 1,000 confirmed victims, continues to test Trump’s administration, blending conspiracy theories, legal battles, and demands for transparency as the 2026 midterms approach.
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What Next?
As the lawsuit progresses, discovery could reveal more about the letter’s origins and Epstein’s files. The DOJ’s grand jury motion awaits judicial review, potentially yielding partial unsealing but unlikely full access due to privacy concerns. Trump’s directive signals an attempt to quell base unrest, but skeptics argue it’s a limited gesture amid broader withholding.
The controversy shows divisions within the GOP and public, with Trump’s Epstein ties once dismissed—now a persistent flashpoint. Whether the suit deters future reporting or exposes new details remains to be seen, but it ensures the story’s endurance in political discourse.
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