Donald Trump Files Libel Suit Against Rupert Murdoch and News Corp

Former President Donald Trump has initiated legal action against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his companies, News Corp and Dow Jones, following a report by the Wall Street Journal that linked him to a letter for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit was officially filed in the federal court in Florida on March 15, 2025, specifically targeting the parent companies of the Journal, two of its reporters, and Murdoch himself.

The controversy erupted when the Wall Street Journal published a story alleging that Trump had written a letter for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003. The report claims that this letter was part of a compilation that included a graphic drawing and expressed wishes for Epstein’s birthday, stating, “may every day be another wonderful secret.” The details of the complaint have not yet been made public, but the implications of the article have caused a significant backlash from Trump.

In response to the publication, Trump labeled the report as “false, malicious, and defamatory.” He expressed his outrage through a series of social media posts, where he threatened to take legal action against Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal. Trump’s remarks included a vow to “sue his ass off, and that of his third-rate newspaper,” highlighting the tension between the former president and the media outlet.

Trump had reportedly attempted to persuade Murdoch, Wall Street Journal editor Emma Tucker, and News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson to halt the publication of the story prior to its release.

The lawsuit coincides with a turbulent period for the Trump administration, particularly regarding Epstein. Earlier in March, a memo from the Department of Justice and the FBI indicated that there was no substantiated “client list” associated with Epstein, nor credible evidence that he had blackmailed prominent individuals. This statement was a notable shift from Trump’s previous campaign promise to release files related to Epstein’s death by suicide in 2019.

Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, had previously mentioned in February that a “client list” was under review, adding further scrutiny to the ongoing Epstein investigation.

Representatives for Murdoch, News Corp, and Dow Jones have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. The White House has also declined to provide any statements on this matter.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this lawsuit may extend beyond the courtroom, potentially influencing public perception of both Trump and the media entities involved.