In a dramatic escalation of his ongoing media battles, former President Donald Trump yesterday filed a defamation lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Southern Florida against The Wall Street Journal, its parent companies Dow Jones and News Corp, media titan Rupert Murdoch, and Journal reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo . The lawsuit centers on a July 17 article that alleged Trump authored a provocative, sexually suggestive birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, complete with a drawing of a naked woman.
Trump, who firmly denies ever writing or sketching the incriminating note, labeled the report “false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS” in a Truth Social tirade, vowing to “sue his ass off” and haul Murdoch and the Journal into court . He seeks a staggering $10 billion in damages—an amount he describes as commensurate with the alleged harm to his character and reputation.
The contested letter, which the Journal claims was part of an album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell in celebration of Epstein’s 50th birthday, reportedly featured typewritten text within the outline of a nude silhouette and concluded with the line, “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret,” signed “Donald” . In response, Trump’s complaint asserts that there is no evidence of the letter’s authenticity, accusing the Journal of reckless reporting intended to malign him.
Dow Jones, News Corp, and The Wall Street Journal have defended their journalism practices. The Journal asserted confidence in the story’s rigor and accuracy, while planning to defend vigorously against the lawsuit. Murdoch’s forces have even welcomed the challenge, with one spokesman reportedly telling Trump, “Bring it on.”
The lawsuit comes amid growing public scrutiny of Epstein’s case. On the same day, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to request the release of relevant federal grand jury transcripts related to the investigations of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell—as though to underscore his commitment to “transparency” while fortifying his position. The Justice Department complied, formally asking for the transcripts to be unsealed, with necessary redactions to protect sensitive identities.
Politically, the legal maneuver reflects a broader pattern of Trump leveraging the judiciary to challenge conservative outlets he perceives as disloyal. Historically, he’s filed numerous lawsuits against media organizations, though many have been dismissed—some others resulted in settlements. However, this is his first major defamation action filed as president, raising the stakes considerably.
Legal experts note that defamation law places a heavy burden on Trump as a public figure: he must prove “actual malice”—that the Journal knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth . Industry observers also point out the unprecedented scale of the claim; at $10 billion, it eclipses past defamation awards, including the $787.5 million Dominion settlement with Fox News and a $1.5 billion judgment against Alex Jones.
The unfolding legal battle—combining sensational allegations, high-profile defendants, and massive damage demands—marks a new frontier in political warfare. As The Wall Street Journal prepares its defense and the court weighs motions and evidence, the clash promises to be a landmark in both media law and Trump-era litigation.
