Trump sues Wall Street Journal, Murdoch over Epstein note claim

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a $10 billion lawsuit against media giant Dow Jones and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, over an explosive Wall Street Journal article linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

At the heart of the case is a 2003 birthday note reportedly sent by Trump to Epstein, which the article described as “bawdy” and framed within the outline of a naked woman. Trump has flatly denied any connection to the note, calling it a fabrication and slamming the story as defamatory and malicious.

“This is fake, slanderous, and written with clear intent to damage,” Trump declared in a social media post after the lawsuit was filed. He warned that the Journal and Murdoch were previously cautioned against publishing the story.

The lawsuit follows a Justice Department request to unseal grand jury materials from the 2019 Epstein sex trafficking case, a move spurred by public pressure and criticism over the government's handling of Epstein’s prosecution and ties to powerful figures.

In the Wall Street Journal’s reporting, the note supposedly included a fictional conversation between Trump and Epstein, ending with the line: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump quickly dismissed it, stating: “These are not my words. Not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures.”

Dow Jones responded strongly, saying they stand by their reporting and are prepared to defend the case vigorously.

The political fallout has been swift. Even some of Trump’s most loyal supporters have expressed disappointment over his handling of Epstein-related documents. A Justice Department request to release parts of Epstein’s grand jury testimony—often protected by strict confidentiality rules—has fueled demands for greater transparency.

Tensions also rose after Attorney General Pam Bondi, once firmly aligned with Trump, reversed her stance on document releases. Calls for her resignation have echoed from within Trump’s base.

Meanwhile, a rare bipartisan move in Congress is gaining traction. Lawmakers including Marjorie Taylor Greene and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are backing a discharge petition to force the release of Epstein-related records held by the Justice Department.

As the lawsuit plays out in court, the political and legal firestorm surrounding Trump, Epstein, and now Murdoch, continues to grow—drawing renewed attention to one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent history.