President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), its parent company Dow Jones, News Corp, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters, alleging libel over a report claiming he sent a “bawdy” birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between Trump and his base, as well as his long-standing ally Murdoch, amid growing unrest within the MAGA movement over the handling of Epstein-related disclosures.
The WSJ article, published on July 17, 2025, alleged that Trump contributed a letter to a birthday album for Epstein’s 50th birthday, compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell. The letter, reportedly bearing Trump’s signature, contained typewritten text framed by a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman and concluded with the phrase, “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump vehemently denied authorship, calling the letter “fake” and claiming it did not reflect his style of speech or behavior, stating, “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures.” He further asserted that he personally warned Murdoch and WSJ editor Emma Tucker against publishing the story, to no avail.
Trump’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of publishing “false, malicious, and defamatory” content, causing “overwhelming” financial and reputational harm. The suit claims the WSJ failed to provide evidence of the letter’s authenticity or explain its origins, alleging the story was designed to malign Trump’s character by linking him to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019.
Dow Jones defended the reporting, stating, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
The timing of the lawsuit coincides with mounting pressure from Trump’s MAGA base, which has grown frustrated with his administration’s handling of the Epstein case. Many supporters, fueled by years of conspiracy theories about Epstein’s ties to powerful figures, expected Trump to release a rumored “client list” and other case files.
However, a July 7 Justice Department memo concluded there was “no incriminating client list” and affirmed Epstein’s death as a suicide, sparking outrage among loyalists. Some, including Republican sheriff Chad Bianco, expressed disappointment, with Bianco telling BBC News, “We feel like we’re being talked down to like stupid children.”
In response to the backlash, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi on July 17 to request the unsealing of grand jury transcripts from Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case and Maxwell’s 2021 conviction, citing “extensive public interest.” The Justice Department filed a motion in Manhattan federal court on July 18, though redactions to protect victims and witnesses are expected, and judicial approval is uncertain due to the secrecy of grand jury proceedings.
The lawsuit and Epstein controversy highlight a fractured relationship between Trump and Murdoch, whose media empire, including Fox News, has historically supported him. Despite their recent public appearance together at the FIFA Club World Cup on July 13, the WSJ’s critical reporting suggests Murdoch’s outlets are navigating a balance between skepticism and allegiance.
The legal battle and MAGA unrest underscore the challenges Trump faces in managing his base’s expectations while confronting media scrutiny.
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