President Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch, Dow Jones, and two Wall Street Journal reporters, Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo. The lawsuit stems from a Thursday article that reported Trump had written a "bawdy" letter to Jeffrey Epstein for the financier's 50th birthday in 2003. In the letter, which included a drawing of a nude woman, Trump allegedly wished Epstein a happy birthday, stating, "may every day be another wonderful secret."
Trump, who has sought to distance himself from Epstein, denied writing the letter and referred to it as "a fake thing." The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, demands at least $10 billion in damages, arguing that the article contains false and defamatory statements that have caused significant harm to Trump's reputation. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump characterized the lawsuit as a "POWERHOUSE Lawsuit" against those involved in the publication.
Dow Jones responded to the lawsuit, asserting confidence in the accuracy of its reporting and indicating plans to vigorously defend against the claims. The filing has raised questions regarding its legitimacy, as initial reports suggested discrepancies in the court docket, including an indication that Trump was listed as a "pro se" plaintiff, which typically means he is not represented by a lawyer. A source close to Trump's legal team stated that the initial reporting was not legitimate.
The lawsuit highlights ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s connections to Epstein, particularly as Trump has previously pledged to release information related to the government’s investigation into Epstein's activities. Meanwhile, Trump's name has appeared in various contexts linked to Epstein, though no allegations of wrongdoing have been substantiated against him in public records.