WASHINGTON, July 18 – U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a high-stakes legal battle against the Wall Street Journal and its parent companies, including Dow Jones and News Corp (NWSA.O), alleging that a recent report linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was entirely fabricated. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami, seeks a staggering $10 billion in damages, accusing the publication of defamation, reputational damage, and financial harm.
Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein, called the Journal’s article “false, malicious, and defamatory,” claiming it was designed to damage his public standing and credibility ahead of a potential return to the political spotlight. The lawsuit names media magnate Rupert Murdoch, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson, and two Wall Street Journal reporters as defendants.
Accusations, Denials, and the Legal Fallout
At the heart of the dispute is a birthday note from 2003 that was allegedly written by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. The report claims the message featured provocative language and was bordered by a sketch of a nude woman, drawn in thick marker. The message reportedly closed with the phrase, “Happy Birthday – may each day bring another delightful secret,” and was signed simply as “Donald.”
Trump’s legal team maintains the letter never existed and argues that the Journal failed to provide any credible proof, such as the original note or a verified copy. “The article does not clarify whether the defendants saw the letter, received a description of it, or verified its authenticity,” the lawsuit states. Trump labeled the report “FAKE NEWS” in a fiery post on his Truth Social platform and vowed to hold all parties accountable in court.
Dow Jones, a subsidiary of News Corp, issued a short response affirming its trust in the Journal’s editorial standards and made clear it intends to fight the lawsuit aggressively. A spokesperson stated that the company stands firmly behind its reporters and believes in the reliability of their reporting.
The defamation suit hinges on whether Trump can prove that the Journal acted with “actual malice,” a legal standard that requires showing the defendants knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. If Trump succeeds, the $10 billion claim would be the largest defamation award in U.S. history, surpassing recent landmark cases.
Legal experts have already cast doubt on the size of the claim, calling it “excessive” and “unlikely to be upheld in full,” but acknowledge the potential for a significant financial settlement if Trump’s legal team presents strong evidence of damage.
Renewed Scrutiny Over Epstein Case
Trump’s lawsuit arrives amid renewed attention on the Epstein case, particularly from his most vocal supporters, who have continued to press for transparency. This pressure has grown louder in recent weeks after the Justice Department concluded its own internal review and declared that no evidence supports longstanding conspiracy theories about Epstein’s client list or the nature of his death in custody.
That finding has done little to silence public skepticism. In fact, backlash erupted among Trump’s base after the administration declined to release certain Epstein-related files, a move viewed by some as a betrayal. In response to the growing frustration, Trump said Thursday that he had directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to push for the unsealing of grand jury transcripts related to Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Following his direction, the U.S. government on Friday filed a formal request in Manhattan federal court to make grand jury testimony public. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated in the filing that “public officials, lawmakers, and ordinary citizens” continue to demand transparency. Blanche also noted that prosecutors would seek to redact sensitive information to protect victims’ identities.
However, even if the court grants the motion, the content of the grand jury material may fall short of public expectations. Some Trump supporters are pushing for access to broader files and documents that remain sealed or classified under his administrations.
Maxwell, convicted in 2021 of multiple federal offenses for her role in Epstein’s abuse of underage girls, is currently serving a 20-year sentence and has filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, public discourse over Epstein’s ties to powerful individuals remains a heated issue, especially among political circles and online communities.
A Complicated Past With Epstein
Trump’s relationship with Epstein dates back to the 1990s and early 2000s, a period during which the two were photographed together on multiple occasions at social events, particularly in Palm Beach. A 2002 interview in a prominent magazine quoted Trump saying that Epstein “was a lot of fun” and had a taste for beautiful women “on the younger side.” However, Trump later stated that he had a falling out with Epstein and distanced himself years before Epstein’s 2006 arrest.
During a 2019 press briefing, Trump asserted that he had not spoken to Epstein in over 15 years and was “not a fan.” The newly surfaced birthday book, if authentic, would have been created before Epstein’s first arrest, further complicating public perception of the nature of their acquaintance.
The book, bound in leather, was said to include birthday greetings from numerous well-known public figures. The Journal article claimed the message linked to Trump stood out due to its sexually suggestive artwork and vague reference to shared “secrets.” However, Trump’s legal team insists the entire narrative is a fabrication aimed at misleading readers and damaging his image.