Trump Files Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch Over Epstein Reporting

President Donald Trump has initiated legal action against The Wall Street Journal and media figure Rupert Murdoch following a report from the newspaper discussing connections between Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawsuit was submitted in federal court in Miami, seeking a substantial sum of at least $10 billion (£7.4 billion) in damages.

Trump expressed his intention to pursue legal action after the publication detailed a letter allegedly signed by him that was reportedly part of a birthday album for Epstein in 2003. The president has firmly denied authorship of the letter, labeling the article as “false, malicious, and defamatory.”

The letter in question was said to have been collected by Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently facing legal challenges, as part of the album for Epstein’s birthday. It purportedly features text alongside imagery that has raised eyebrows, concluding with a birthday wish: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” as reported by the newspaper.

While the Journal outlined the contents of the letter, it did not disclose a full image or the context of its discovery.

This legal move follows a request from the U.S. Justice Department for a federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Epstein’s case, a request that reportedly came after discussions involving Trump and has stirred considerable attention.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has filed motions to make these transcripts public while emphasizing the need to protect sensitive information regarding victims. His statements highlighted the balance between transparency and the legal obligation to safeguard victim identities.

The announcement regarding the grand jury transcripts has caused some discontent within Trump’s supporter base, particularly since expectations had been raised about possible disclosures.

Despite the renewed efforts to release certain grand jury transcripts, the Justice Department has not indicated any intention to make other materials available at this time. Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously touted the potential for additional disclosures following a wave of public interest sparked by earlier Epstein files.

A judicial approval will be necessary for the release of these transcripts, which may entail a detailed process to ensure appropriate redactions are made to protect sensitive information regarding witnesses and victims involved in the matter. The records will include testimonies and evidence evaluated during the grand jury sessions that determine the viability of legal charges.