Trump Threatens to Sue Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal over Epstein Allegations

Strategic Insights -

President Donald Trump has reiterated his intent to sue right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal after the newspaper published a 50th birthday greeting that Trump reportedly sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The alleged birthday card included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to "secrets" both men shared. Trump has denied writing the greeting or drawing "pictures of women" but threatens to sue Murdoch and the newspaper.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trump denies writing a birthday greeting to Epstein or drawing "pictures of women," despite the allegations in The Wall Street Journal.
  • Trump has threatened to sue Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal over the publication of the alleged birthday card.
  • The president accused the newspaper of printing a "FAKE letter" and warned Murdoch that he would be sued if the story was published.
  • Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to "produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval," in response to the publication of the alleged birthday card.
  • The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, allegedly told The Journal's editor, Emma Tucker, that the letter was a "FAKE."
  • Trump claims that he "personally" warned Murdoch against publishing the story, but Murdoch allegedly said he would take care of it.
  • The president's administration has been accused of attempting to dismiss the Epstein files as a Democratic "hoax."
  • The allegations have renewed scrutiny into the president's relationship with Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing dozens of minors before his death in 2019.

Statistics:

  • 2003: The alleged birthday card was reportedly sent to Epstein.
  • 2019: Epstein was found dead in his jail cell.
  • 50: The age Epstein was when the alleged birthday card was sent to him.
  • Dozens: The number of minor victims accused of being sexually abused by Epstein.
  • 1: Trump claims he personally warned Murdoch against publishing the story.
  • 1: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt allegedly told The Journal's editor Emma Tucker that the letter was a "FAKE."
  • 1: The president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to "produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval," in response to the publication of the alleged birthday card.

Sources:

  • "President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly," Twitter post by President Donald Trump.
  • "The Wall Street Journal printed a FAKE letter, supposedly to Epstein," Twitter post by President Donald Trump.
  • "I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his 'pile of garbage' newspaper," Twitter post by President Donald Trump.
  • "These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures. I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn't print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I'm going to sue his ass off, and that of his third-rate newspaper," Twitter post by President Donald Trump.
  • "Mr. Murdoch stated that he would take care of it but, obviously, did not have the power to do so," Twitter post by President Donald Trump.
  • "Instead, they are going with a false, malicious, and defamatory story anyway. President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly," Twitter post by President Donald Trump.
  • Bondi, Pam. "President Trump — we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts," Twitter post by Attorney General Pam Bondi.