πΊπΈ Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter Story — Seeks $20 Billion in Damages
Updated: July 15, 2025
In a dramatic legal move, US President Donald Trump has filed a $20 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its parent company Dow Jones, and two of its journalists. The case stems from an article that claimed Trump sent a letter with a naked sketch to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003.
Trump denies ever writing such a letter and accuses the Journal of publishing a story without credible proof.
“No authentic letter or drawing exists,” Trump’s lawyer stated in the 18-page lawsuit filed in federal court in Miami.
π° Why Trump Is Suing The Wall Street Journal
The story in question, written by Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo, was published last Thursday. It alleges that Trump gifted Epstein a letter with a suggestive drawing.
Trump reacted quickly, posting on Truth Social:
“They were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump,” he wrote, referring to the Journal’s editors. He claims media mogul Rupert Murdoch promised to stop the story but failed to act.
Dow Jones responded: “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
π΅️ The Epstein Angle
The lawsuit comes at a time when Trump’s past connection to Epstein is under renewed scrutiny. Though Trump has denied any wrongdoing, the resurfacing of such allegations creates media waves.
What We Know:
- Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
- Trump vowed in 2024 to release all government files on Epstein.
- Recently, Trump’s Justice Department said there's no “client list” of men involved in Epstein’s crimes — a finding that angered many of his own supporters.
⚖️ Trump’s History of Lawsuits Against the Media
This isn’t Trump’s first media lawsuit — but it is one of the biggest. Legal experts say this could be the first time a sitting or campaigning president sues a major newspaper for defamation.
Previous Media Lawsuits by Trump:
- ABC News: Sued for reporting on the E. Jean Carroll trial. Disney reportedly settled for $16 million.
- CBS News: Lawsuit over a 60 Minutes episode was dropped after a reported $16 million settlement from Paramount.
- Meta and X (formerly Twitter): Previously settled cases related to censorship and moderation.
Legal expert Ted Boutrous: “It’s extremely rare for a president to sue the press. The presidency itself is the loudest platform available.”
⚠️ First Amendment Concerns
Experts warn that Trump’s lawsuits may pressure media outlets into self-censorship.
“These attacks on the media undermine the First Amendment by making journalists more cautious in how they cover Trump,” said Professor Carl Tobias.
π§Ύ What Happens Next?
After the lawsuit was filed, Trump returned to Truth Social, saying:
“I hope Rupert and his ‘friends’ are looking forward to the many hours of depositions and testimonies they will have to provide in this case.”
This case could set a new precedent in how the press covers presidents and powerful figures. Legal analysts expect the trial to stretch for months, if not years.
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