Trump Launches $10 Billion Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter Claims

19 July 2025

On July 19, President Trump intensified his long-standing battle with the media by filing a $10 billion defamation suit in Miami federal court against The Wall Street Journal, its parent companies News Corp and Dow Jones, Rupert Murdoch, CEO Robert Thomson, and two Journal reporters. The lawsuit challenges a recent Journal article asserting that Trump contributed to a 2003 leather-bound birthday album for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with a birthday greeting that included a sexually suggestive illustration and references to shared secrets. Trump denies the accusations, calling the report "false and defamatory" and claiming it caused severe reputational and financial harm.

The Journal’s reported evidence included typed text surrounded by a crude outline of a naked woman, signed “Donald” and ending with “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump’s legal filing argues that the Journal offered no proof of having ever seen the actual letter, describing the story as reckless reporting designed to damage his image. In his Truth Social post, Trump warned Murdoch of impending legal consequences and claimed the publication was part of media “malpractice”

Dow Jones has responded by asserting confidence in its reporting and vowing to vigorously defend its journalistic integrity. Yet legal experts view the $10 billion demand as largely symbolic. Defamation attorneys note that this would far exceed any previous U.S. defamation awards surpassing cases like Alex Jones's $1.5 billion loss and Fox News’s $787 million settlement with Dominion and that proof of "actual malice" will be a formidable hurdle for Trump.

Complicating matters, the Justice Department has concurrently filed a motion in Manhattan federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts from the Epstein and Maxwell cases, citing public interest and pressure from Trump, who described the decision to review more files as his directive.

The lawsuit marks a milestone: it is the first time Trump, as sitting president, is suing a media outlet. His legal arsenal has targeted various news organizations before, many cases having been dismissed, though he has recently secured sizeable settlements with ABC and CBS. Trump framed the WSJ case as a stand for millions against "Fake News media"

Media freedom advocates have expressed concern. Roy Gutterman of Syracuse warned that demanding such a high award and rapid legal action could chill press freedom. Given the Journal's global reputation, proving deliberate falsehood will be difficult.

Beyond legal implications, the battle may further strain relations between Trump and Murdoch. Despite previous cordiality as evidenced by visits and mutual praise the Journal’s publication appears to have shattered its alignment with Trump, prompting public disavowals from him and his ally J.D. Vance on social platforms.

As U.S. politics swirls around Trump’s latest media offensive, courts now face two pivotal questions: whether the WSJ acted with malicious intent, and whether unsealing grand jury materials in the Epstein-Mel Maxwell cases serves the public interest. The outcome will likely leave lasting impressions on press protection, presidential power, and the nation’s appetite for transparency.