Donald Trump sues Rupert Murdoch and two reporters over Epstein letter story

Donald Trump has filed a libel lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and two Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporters, hours after promising to sue the Australian media mogul over a fiercely denied story tying him to Jeffrey Epstein. He made good his promise to sue regarding an exclusive report by the WSJ, which claimed the President appeared to have sent a signed fiftieth birthday card to Epstein in 2003, coupled with a bawdy image of a woman and cryptic references to their friendship.

Trump had earlier threatened on social media to sue the Wall Street Journal and its owners, News Corp, after the paper reported on his alleged involvement with a 50th birthday gift to Epstein.

The newspaper said it had reviewed a typewritten letter bearing Trump's signature, framed by the seemingly hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, that Ghislaine Maxwell included in a 2003 birthday album. Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the picture, calling it "false, malicious, and defamatory."

Trump specifically went after the WSJ's billionaire owner, Rupert Murdoch, who also owns the Fox Corporation that controls Fox News.

"I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his 'pile of garbage' newspaper, the WSJ," Trump said on Truth Social. "That will be an interesting experience!!!"

The other defendants listed on the lawsuit are Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo, both reporters for the Wall Street Journal.

Murdoch and Trump were last seen together in February this year when the media mogul was pictured watching on as the US President signed an executive order to create a US sovereign wealth fund.

Trump's decision to sue sits against a backdrop of increasing anger from his own MAGA supporters who are angry at the lack of release of promised Epstein files relating to the paedophile's client list for sex trafficking. It's long been rumoured many high-profile names are on the alleged list, among them Trump, who has always denied the allegations.

Defending the Commander-in-Chief from the WSJ story, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed his boss was the "most attacked political figure in American history". Posting on X he wrote: "President Trump and I spoke this morning about the latest ridiculous smear.

"The truth? President Trump is the most attacked political figure in American history and still the most resilient. The more they come after him, the stronger he gets."