Trump Files Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Birthday Letter Claims

On July 18, 2025, President Donald Trump announced his intention to sue The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), its parent company News Corp, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over a report alleging he sent a provocative birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The controversial article, published on July 17, claimed Trump contributed a letter to a leather-bound album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday, which included a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman and a signature reading “Donald.” Trump has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the story “fake, malicious, and defamatory,” and has since followed through with a libel lawsuit filed in Miami federal court.

The WSJ report detailed a typewritten note, allegedly from Trump, framed by the drawing and concluding with the line, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” The letter reportedly featured a fictional dialogue between Trump and Epstein, suggesting shared secrets and camaraderie. Trump, in an interview with the WSJ before the story’s publication, denied writing the letter or drawing the image, stating, “I don’t draw pictures of women. It’s not my language. It’s not my words.” He warned the outlet of legal action if they proceeded with the story, a threat he reiterated on Truth Social, claiming he personally informed Murdoch and WSJ editor-in-chief Emma Tucker that the letter was fabricated.

The lawsuit, filed on July 18, names Murdoch, News Corp, Dow Jones, and WSJ reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo as defendants. Trump’s team, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, accused the WSJ of refusing to provide a copy of the letter for verification, with Leavitt calling the article a “hatchet job.” Vice President JD Vance also defended Trump, dismissing the report as “complete and utter bullshit” on X and questioning its authenticity, noting the WSJ did not publish the letter itself.

The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s past association with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019. The WSJ reported that the birthday album was among documents reviewed by the Justice Department during its investigations into Epstein and Maxwell, though it’s unclear if it was part of the Trump administration’s recent review of Epstein-related files. Trump has faced pressure from both supporters and critics to release more documents from the Epstein case, with some MAGA influencers demanding transparency while others, like Charlie Kirk and Laura Loomer, rallied to his defense, arguing the letter’s tone and style do not align with Trump’s typical communication.

In response to the uproar, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimony from Epstein’s sex-trafficking case, subject to court approval. Bondi promptly filed a motion in a Manhattan federal court on July 18, though legal experts note that unsealing such transcripts is complex and unlikely to happen quickly. This move appears to be an attempt to address mounting criticism from Trump’s base, some of whom have expressed frustration over the administration’s handling of Epstein-related files, especially after the Justice Department concluded there was no evidence of a “client list” or foul play in Epstein’s death.

The WSJ story has reignited tensions between Trump and Murdoch, whose relationship has been described as both mutually beneficial and occasionally contentious. Despite Murdoch’s presence in Trump’s box at a recent FIFA Club World Cup event, the lawsuit marks a new low in their dynamic, with Trump vowing to make Murdoch testify. The WSJ and Dow Jones have declined to comment on the lawsuit, while staffers reportedly expressed pride in publishing the story despite Trump’s threats.

This legal battle adds to Trump’s history of suing media outlets, including recent settlements with ABC News and CBS News. However, legal experts, like Bob Corn-Revere of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, have noted that Trump’s previous lawsuits against news organizations have not resulted in court victories, suggesting the current case may face challenges. Meanwhile, the Epstein saga continues to stir division, with Trump’s supporters split between those demanding more disclosures and those dismissing the WSJ report as a smear.

As the lawsuit unfolds, it underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding Trump’s ties to Epstein and the broader debate over transparency in the Epstein case. Whether the courts will unseal additional records or validate Trump’s claims of a “fake” letter remains to be seen, but the story has undoubtedly intensified political and media tensions.