Trump sues Murdoch, WSJ over Epstein letter claim.
Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit in federal court in Miami against media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, The Wall Street Journal, and its parent company, Dow Jones. The lawsuit comes in response to a controversial article that alleged Trump wrote a personal letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump has categorically denied the claim, calling the report “a fabricated lie” intended to smear his character and derail his political momentum.
According to the complaint, the article was published with “reckless disregard for the truth” and represents a coordinated attack to inflict political harm as Trump actively campaigns for the 2024 presidential election. His legal team argues that no such letter exists and that the reporting is based on either doctored documents or unreliable sources. They are demanding a full retraction, public apology, and significant damages for the reputational harm caused.
The lawsuit is seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to challenge what he describes as a hostile media environment. It is likely to intensify tensions between Trump and mainstream press outlets, particularly as the political climate heats up ahead of the Republican primaries and general election.
U.S. President Donald Trump filed a high-profile defamation lawsuit on Friday, July 18, 2025, targeting media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal, following the publication of an explosive article that reignited controversy over Trump’s alleged connection to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami, marks a serious legal and political counterstrike as Trump campaigns for re-election amid growing media scrutiny.
At the heart of the lawsuit is a Wall Street Journal article that claimed Trump shared a close friendship with Epstein and allegedly wrote him a letter in 2003. The report suggested a more personal relationship than Trump has previously acknowledged, fueling widespread speculation and political backlash. Trump’s legal team quickly pushed back, calling the report “completely false, deeply damaging, and deliberately misleading.”
“This is not journalism—this is a calculated political attack,” said one of Trump’s attorneys in a public statement. “There is no such letter. There was no such friendship. The media is attempting to revive old lies in order to interfere with a democratic election.”
The lawsuit accuses Murdoch and his publication of defamation, citing a “reckless disregard for truth” and “intent to inflict harm.” Trump’s team is demanding a full retraction, a public apology, and significant monetary damages. They also argue that the timing of the article—just as the 2024 campaign season enters a critical phase—is no coincidence.
The article in question has already sparked intense public debate and partisan reaction. Supporters of Trump believe this is another example of the mainstream media unfairly targeting him, while critics argue that the story raises legitimate concerns about past associations. However, the lawsuit focuses strictly on the accuracy of the claims and the damage they have caused to Trump’s personal and political reputation.
In filing this suit, Trump is not just defending his name—he’s sending a message to media organizations he believes are weaponizing false narratives against him. It also reflects his long-standing battle with the press, one that has defined much of his political career.
As the case makes its way through the courts, it is likely to become a major flashpoint in the election year. Legal experts say the outcome could set a significant precedent on how powerful public figures can legally respond to controversial media coverage. Meanwhile, Trump has made it clear: he won’t stay silent in the face of what he sees as a coordinated campaign to undermine him.
The legal battle between one of the most polarizing political figures in modern American history and one of the world’s most powerful media empires has only just begun.