Trump Threatens Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Rupert Murdoch
President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), its parent company NewsCorp, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch following a controversial report alleging he sent a suggestive letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. The WSJ story, published on July 17, 2025, claims the letter included a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman with Trump’s signature and typewritten text hinting at shared interests between Trump and Epstein. Trump has vehemently denied these allegations, labeling the letter “fake” and the report “defamatory,” vowing legal action against the outlet.
Details of the Alleged Epstein Letter
According to The Wall Street Journal, the letter was part of a leather-bound album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003. The report describes the letter as containing a drawing of a naked woman, with Trump’s signature styled as “Donald” near the figure’s waist, and text suggesting a fictional conversation between Trump and Epstein. The letter reportedly concluded with, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” The WSJ claims the document was reviewed by the Justice Department during its investigation into Epstein and Maxwell.
Trump, however, has dismissed the letter as “total fiction,” stating, “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women. It’s not my language.” He further argued that if such a letter existed, it would have been used against him by political opponents years ago.
Trump’s Legal Threats and Response
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump confirmed he personally warned WSJ Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker and Rupert Murdoch that the letter was fraudulent, but the outlet proceeded with publication. “The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE,” Trump wrote, adding, “I’m going to sue his ass off, and that of his third-rate newspaper.”
Trump’s legal threats follow a pattern of lawsuits against media outlets, with recent settlements including $15 million from ABC News and $16 million from CBS News’ parent company, Paramount. The president has also directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimony related to Epstein’s case, a move met with skepticism due to the strict confidentiality of such records.
Political and Public Reaction
The WSJ report has reignited scrutiny of Trump’s past association with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019. The story has divided Trump’s MAGA base, with some supporters, like Vice President JD Vance, dismissing it as “complete and utter bullshit” on X, while others demand transparency regarding Epstein-related documents. Trump has called the broader Epstein controversy a “hoax” perpetuated by Democrats, criticizing his supporters for engaging with it.
The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions between Trump and Murdoch, whose media empire, including Fox News and the New York Post, has historically supported Trump but faced criticism from him during his second term. The timing is notable, as Murdoch attended the FIFA Club World Cup Final with Trump just days before the WSJ story broke.
What’s Next?
As Trump prepares to take legal action, the WSJ’s report has sparked widespread debate about media accountability, political transparency, and the Epstein case. The push to unseal grand jury testimony could further escalate the controversy, though legal experts note the process is complex and unlikely to yield immediate results.
Stay tuned to NRI Globe for updates on this developing story and its implications for U.S. politics and media.
