Former President Donald Trump has indeed filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and its parent company, News Corp, as well as media mogul Rupert Murdoch and two reporters. This lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Florida and seeks at least $10 billion in damages, claiming the newspaper published a false and defamatory story about Trump’s alleged connection to Jeffrey Epstein through a 2003 birthday letter.

What Was Published?

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent a "bawdy" birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. According to the article, the letter supposedly included Trump's signature, a playful or suggestive birthday message, and a drawing of a nude woman. The story described the letter as featuring a sketch with Trump’s signature below the waist—implying pubic hair—and including a message about sharing “secrets”. The Journal claimed the letter was part of a larger collection of notes from various friends and associates compiled by Epstein’s associates for his birthday.

Trump’s Response

Trump has flatly denied writing or sending the letter, calling the entire story "false, malicious, and defamatory." He claims the letter is "a fake," and that WSJ and Murdoch published the story despite warnings from his team. Trump accuses the paper and reporters of "clear journalistic failures" and argues the article has caused him “overwhelming financial and reputational harm”.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump characterized the legal action as a “POWERHOUSE Lawsuit” and even expressed interest in having Rupert Murdoch testify in court.

Legal Details

The lawsuit specifically names:

• Dow Jones & Company (publisher of WSJ)

• News Corp (parent company)

• Rupert Murdoch (former chairman)

• Robert Thomson (News Corp, CEO)

• WSJ reporters Joseph Palazzolo and Khadeeja Safdar (authors of the Epstein story)

Trump is seeking at least $10 billion in damages, alleging extensive financial and reputational loss due to what he says are false claims.

Media and Public Reaction

Reactions have been mixed. Many legal experts have questioned whether Trump can actually prove the claims are false and obtain such a large sum in damages—especially since libel lawsuits involving public figures have a high bar for success. The First Amendment and press freedom laws protect news organizations unless they knowingly published false reports or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

Some supporters of Trump, especially those critical of media coverage, see the suit as another example of confronting what they call “fake news.” Others, however, suspect it’s part of a broader pattern of using lawsuits to push back against negative coverage—Trump has previously sued (or threatened to sue) other media organizations like ABC and CBS.

At the same time, public interest in the Epstein case remains strong. Many Americans want more transparency regarding Epstein’s connections, and some of Trump’s backers have called for the release of all documents related to Epstein. In response, the Trump administration ordered the release of related grand jury testimony—even as a Justice Department memo stated that no incriminating “client list” was found.

The Bigger Picture

From a broader viewpoint, this story highlights the tension between politicians and the press. In the news business, reporting on high-profile figures and sensitive topics like Epstein’s connections is risky, as lawsuits can follow. For Trump, aggressive legal challenges against the media are both a legal tactic and a political signal to his supporters. For the WSJ, the case will likely test both its journalistic practices and its willingness to defend controversial reporting in court.

So, did Trump really sue the Wall Street Journal over Epstein letters? Yes, he has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit, arguing that the WSJ falsely linked him to an inappropriate letter sent to Jeffrey Epstein. The case is set to proceed through the courts, and it remains to be seen whether Trump can prove his claims and collect damages. What is clear is that the controversy is far from over, and it continues to shape the public’s view of both Trump, the media, and the legacy of Jeffrey Epstein.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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