Trump is Now Sending Out Lawsuit Over Epstein Claims

July 21, 2025 — President Donald Trump has filed a high-profile libel lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its parent company News Corp, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, following a report alleging he sent a suggestive birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.

The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, prompting varied reactions from political commentators.

The lawsuit, seeking at least $20 billion in damages, centers on a controversial article that has reignited scrutiny over Trump’s past association with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019.

On July 17, 2025, The Wall Street Journal published an article claiming that Trump contributed a “bawdy” letter to a leather-bound album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003.

The reported letter allegedly included a typewritten message and a drawing of a naked woman, signed with a “squiggly ‘Donald’” below the figure’s waist, accompanied by the phrase, “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

The article, authored by reporters Joseph Palazzolo and Khadeeja Safdar, stated that the album was examined by the Department of Justice during its investigation into Epstein and Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of aiding Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes.

Trump swiftly denied the allegations, labeling the letter “fake” and the story “false, malicious, and defamatory” in a Truth Social post on July 17.

He claimed to have personally warned Murdoch and the Journal’s editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, against publishing the report, asserting that no authentic letter or drawing exists.

The lawsuit, filed on July 18, names News Corp, Dow Jones & Company (the Journal’s publisher), Murdoch, Dow Jones CEO Robert Thomson, and the two reporters as defendants.

It alleges the article violated journalistic ethics and caused significant reputational harm, with damages sought for at least $10 billion per defamation count.

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Case Assigned to Judge Darrin P. Gayles

The assignment of the case to Judge Gayles, appointed by Obama in 2014, has drawn attention due to Trump’s frequent criticism of judges appointed by Democratic presidents.

Posts on X reflect polarized sentiment, with some users suggesting Trump may use the judge’s appointment to frame any unfavorable ruling as politically motivated.

One post noted, “This is exactly what Trump wanted. Now he can blame an Obama judge for why his frivolous [lawsuit fails].”

However, these claims remain speculative and are not definitive evidence of judicial bias or case outcome.

Judge Gayles, based in Miami, has a record of handling high-profile cases with impartiality.

His assignment to this case aligns with standard judicial procedures for civil lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida.

Legal experts note that defamation lawsuits, particularly those involving public figures like Trump, face a high bar in U.S. courts.

To succeed, Trump must prove the Journal published false claims with “actual malice,” meaning the outlet knew the information was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

Trump’s legal team argues that the Journal’s failure to produce the alleged letter for verification undermines its credibility.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the article a “hatchet job,” claiming the outlet admitted it did not possess the document when pressed by the administration.

Vice President JD Vance also denounced the report, calling it “complete and utter bullsh*t” and questioning its authenticity, stating, “Does anyone honestly believe this sounds like Donald Trump?”

Other prominent figures, including former congressman Matt Gaetz and conservative activist Laura Loomer, echoed Trump’s denial, asserting the letter’s tone and style do not align with his known communication habits.

The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones have stood by their reporting.

A Dow Jones spokesperson stated, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”

The outlet also countered Trump’s claim that he does not draw by highlighting four signed doodles auctioned during his first term, though it conceded uncertainty about how the alleged letter was prepared.

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Broader Context: Epstein Files and Political Fallout

The lawsuit coincides with heightened scrutiny.

The administration’s decision has frustrated some of Trump’s supporters, who have long demanded transparency regarding Epstein’s case, fueled by years of conspiracy theories about a supposed “client list” of powerful associates.

On July 17, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the unsealing of grand jury transcripts from Epstein’s 2019 federal case, a move seen by some as an attempt to shift focus from the Journal’s report.

However, legal experts caution that unsealing such records is rare and requires court approval, which is not guaranteed.

The lawsuit represents a significant escalation in Trump’s ongoing tensions with Murdoch, whose media outlets, including Fox News, have historically supported him but faced legal repercussions, such as a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 over 2020 election coverage.

The Epstein letter controversy has further strained this relationship, with Trump vowing to make Murdoch testify in court.

Legal analysts suggest the case’s outcome hinges on whether Trump can meet the “actual malice” standard, a challenging threshold given the Journal’s claim that the Justice Department reviewed the document.

As the case proceeds under Judge Gayles, it is likely to remain a focal point of political and media attention, with potential implications for Trump’s public image and his administration’s narrative around the Epstein saga.

Updates on the lawsuit’s progress will be closely monitored as both sides prepare for a contentious legal battle.

Also Read: MAGA Now Scrutinize Trump Over Epstein Client List Failure

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