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Trump Sues Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Report
On Friday, former U.S. President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal, following the publication of a revealing article regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious alleged sex trafficker of minors.
The defamation case, initiated in federal court in Miami, represents Trump’s effort to counteract a scandal that could significantly tarnish his political reputation.
At 79, the Republican leader had promised to defend his honor, stating he would sue Murdoch and the Journal after they reported on a suggestive birthday letter Trump sent to Epstein back in 2003. The letter allegedly included a drawing of a nude woman and referenced their “shared secrets.”
To further quell outrage among his supporters regarding an alleged governmental cover-up of Epstein’s activities and his death in 2019, Trump instructed his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to seek the public release of grand jury testimony related to Epstein.
In a filing made in New York, Bondi emphasized the “extensive public interest” in this unusual request to disclose typically confidential testimony.
Epstein, a well-known figure who had ties to Trump and several other prominent men, was found dead in a New York detention facility while awaiting trial on charges of sexually exploiting numerous underage girls in his residences in New York and Florida.
The circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death sparked conspiracy theories, particularly among Trump’s far-right supporters, regarding a supposed global network of wealthy predators. His death, ruled a suicide before he could stand trial, intensified these claims.
As Trump looks to regain political momentum this January, his base has increasingly expressed desire for information regarding Epstein’s alleged client list. However, Bondi issued a memo in July stating that no such list exists.
The dissatisfaction among Trump’s “Make America Great Again” supporters presents a significant challenge to the Republicans’ dominance of the political narrative in America.
It remains uncertain if a court will permit the release of the grand jury testimony, and even if it does, there is no guarantee it would clarify key questions tied to the conspiracy theories, especially regarding the potential existence of an Epstein client list.
When asked by reporters on Friday if he intended to pursue a wider release of information related to the case, Trump declined to respond.
A Noteworthy Letter
Over the years, Trump and Epstein enjoyed a close friendship, often appearing together in photos and videos at social events, though no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged.
The Wall Street Journal’s article, published late Thursday, proved damaging as it implied a shared interest in intimate matters. The report claimed that Trump had wished Epstein a happy 50th birthday in 2003 with a handwritten note that featured a crude drawing of a naked woman and hinted at their “secrets.” This letter was reportedly part of a collection of birthday messages from other affluent individuals for Epstein’s birthday album.
In response, an furious Trump took to his Truth Social platform, labeling the letter a “scam” and “fake.” He claimed that Emma Tucker, the Journal’s editor-in-chief, had been informed that the letter was not genuine and should not have been published.
According to the Journal, Trump’s note included a marker-drawn outline of a nude woman and featured his signature, “Donald,” which supposedly mimicked pubic hair. It concluded with, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” according to the newspaper.
In a series of angry posts, Trump insisted, “That’s not my language. Those aren’t my words.” He added, “I’ve never drawn a picture in my life. I don’t create images of women.”
While U.S. media have referenced several sketches attributed to Trump from the early 2000s, when he used his celebrity status for charitable donations, none directly relate to this controversy.
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