Donald Trump has initiated a $10 billion (£7.5 billion) lawsuit against Dow Jones, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal, and its owner, Rupert Murdoch. The legal action stems from allegations that Trump authored a “bawdy” note addressed to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The US president asserts that the publication defamed him and breached libel laws in an article that alleges a birthday greeting featuring Trump’s name was sent to the late financier in 2003, before the financier faced charges of sex crimes.
Trump has claimed that the note, which was reported by the paper as having been sent for Epstein’s 50th birthday, is “fake”.
The US Justice Department has requested that a judge unseal documents about Epstein, amid growing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s management of the case.
In a recent social media post, Trump announced, “We have just filed a powerhouse lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, fake news ‘article’ in the useless ‘rag’ that is The Wall Street Journal.”
“It remains to be seen how Rupert and his associates will prepare for the extensive depositions and testimonies that lie ahead in this case.”
He stated that the newspaper, along with Murdoch—who has maintained a fluctuating relationship with Trump over the decades—was cautioned about potential legal action should they proceed with publishing the article.
A spokesperson for Dow Jones provided a statement to the media, asserting, “We have full confidence in the rigour and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
On Sunday, Murdoch was spotted at the Fifa Club World Cup alongside Trump. He is the founder of a media empire that some credit with playing a significant role in helping to elevate the president to the White House.
The Wall Street Journal reports that a letter attributed to Trump featured several lines of typewritten text surrounded by the outline of a naked woman, seemingly drawn by hand with a thick marker.
The report detailed that “within the silhouette of the unclothed woman lay a typewritten note, crafted as a fictional dialogue between Trump and Epstein, narrated in the third person.”
Sources indicate that it included a humorous remark stating that “enigmas never age” and purportedly concluded with the phrase: “A pal is a wonderful thing.” Wishing you a Happy Birthday, with hopes that each day unfolds as another delightful secret.
Following the publication of the article on Thursday, Trump refuted claims of authorship regarding the note, stating, “These are not my words, not the way I talk.” Furthermore, I do not create illustrations.
The request from the US Justice Department pertains to transcripts from the grand jury associated with the government’s 2019 sex trafficking case against Epstein. These materials are generally safeguarded and kept confidential by law.
On Thursday, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue the release of documents about Epstein’s confidential grand jury testimony.
The Justice Department has officially submitted a request to a New York judge, contending that the materials pertinent to the case—where the defendant faces charges of trafficking numerous girls as young as 14—”qualify as a matter of public interest.”
The department is seeking disclosures related to his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who has been convicted in connection with a child sex trafficking conspiracy.
A grand jury, composed of individuals tasked with determining whether sufficient evidence exists to charge someone with a crime formally, has the authority to hear testimonies from confidential informants and individuals whose identities are safeguarded for their protection. In a grand jury, materials are generally protected by confidentiality laws. However, a judge holds the authority to unseal documents if they determine that the public interest supersedes the necessity for these legal safeguards in a particular case.
The timeline for the release of the documents remains uncertain, raising questions about whether they will be made public and whether they include the specific details that Trump’s supporters have been eagerly seeking.
On Friday, significant developments emerged during a tumultuous week for the president, as a faction of his staunch supporters called for increased transparency and public disclosure regarding the Epstein case.
Calls for Attorney General Bondi’s resignation have emerged from some Trump loyalists following her decision to reverse course on the release of specific documents tied to Epstein.
Chad Bianco, a Republican sheriff campaigning for the governorship of California, expressed to media his surprise at Trump’s management of the Epstein files, noting that “millions” of his supporters are feeling let down.
“He expressed that they feel condescended to, as if they are being treated like foolish children,” he added.
In a significant move, members of Congress are advocating for the passage of a “discharge petition” aimed at compelling Bondi to disclose a wide array of materials that the Justice Department possesses concerning Epstein.
The initiative has united some of Congress’s most ardent adversaries, with Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both lending their support.
