President Trump Threatens Lawsuit Against Rupert Murdoch, WSJ Over Epstein Report
President Trump Threatens Lawsuit Against Rupert Murdoch, WSJ Over Epstein Report
In a dramatic escalation of his long-standing tension with media mogul Rupert Murdoch, President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to sue The Wall Street Journal and its owner over a recent bombshell report.
The controversy stems from a Wall Street Journal story detailing a 2003 birthday letter sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, allegedly bearing Trump’s name and a drawing. Trump, taking to Truth Social on Thursday night, vehemently denied the story, branding it a “Scam” and “Fake Story.”
“I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn’t print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I’m going to sue his ass off, and that of his third rate newspaper,” Trump wrote. He followed up on Friday morning, declaring, “I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper, the WSJ.”
This aggressive stance marks a new chapter in the often-volatile relationship between Trump and Murdoch, the 93-year-old media patriarch whose empire includes Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. Despite a history of mutual benefit, their dynamic frequently shifts, with this latest dispute highlighting a significant rift.
Legal experts have weighed in, with Bob Corn-Revere, chief counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, noting that “these kinds of threats are not normal in a free society.” He also highlighted Trump’s past legal challenges against news organizations, which have not typically resulted in court victories but sometimes led to settlements.
A spokesperson for The Wall Street Journal declined to comment on Trump’s threats or his assertion of having spoken directly with Murdoch prior to publication. The Journal’s story, titled “Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album. One Was From Donald Trump,” quickly became one of its most-read articles and was featured prominently in its print edition.
Trump’s team had reportedly warned both Murdoch and Journal editor Emma Tucker that the letter was “a FAKE,” but the publication proceeded. This incident underscores the complex and often confrontational interplay between the current President and the powerful media figures who have shaped his public narrative for decades.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.