WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump has initiated a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal’s parent company, News Corp, its owner Rupert Murdoch, and two journalists, over an article alleging that Trump sent a “bawdy” personal note to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
Filed in Miami, the lawsuit accuses Dow Jones, News Corp, Murdoch, and reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo of defamation and libel for publishing the report, according to BBC.
Trump has previously threatened to compel Murdoch to testify in the lawsuit, criticizing the newspaper as a “pile of garbage.” He denies authoring the note, which was reported to have been sent for Epstein’s 50th birthday, calling it fabricated.
The lawsuit claims that both Murdoch and the newspaper were warned against publishing the story, labeling it “false, malicious, and defamatory.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, the letter featured typewritten text framed by a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, with a note styled as a fictional conversation between Trump and Epstein.
The note reportedly includes a joke that “Enigmas never age” and closes with birthday wishes referencing “a wonderful secret.” Trump refuted writing the note, saying the words and drawings were not his style.
When asked about his connection to Epstein and the handling of related documents, Trump declined to comment and instead requested the Attorney General to release secret grand jury testimony, a process that may be prolonged and uncertain.
This move follows mounting pressure from Trump’s supporters demanding more transparency in the Epstein investigation. Some supporters have called for Attorney General Pam Bondi’s resignation after contradictory statements about the existence of Epstein’s so-called “client list.”
The longstanding relationship between Trump and media mogul Murdoch, who owns outlets including Fox News, has become strained since Trump’s 2020 election defeat, though recent events, including Trump’s 2024 victory, appeared to renew their connection. Both were recently seen together at the FIFA World Cup in New Jersey.
Meanwhile, bipartisan efforts in Congress aim to force Attorney General Bondi to publicly release all unclassified documents related to Epstein’s case, with supporters ranging from Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
(Inputs from BBC)
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