Former President Donald Trump has initiated legal proceedings against Dow Jones, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal, its owner News Corp, and reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo, citing a report alleging he penned a “bawdy” personal note to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami, accuses Dow Jones and News Corp, along with media mogul Rupert Murdoch, of defamation and violations of libel laws.
Trump had previously stated his intention to compel Murdoch “to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper”.
Trump contends that the note, which the Wall Street Journal reported was sent for Epstein’s 50th birthday, is a “fake.” The legal action follows criticism from his supporters regarding his handling of the Epstein case files.
Trump acknowledged that he and his staff attempted to prevent the publication of the story. He asserted that the newspaper and Murdoch “were warned directly” of impending legal action if they proceeded with the article, characterizing it as “false, malicious, and defamatory.”
The lawsuit specifically names reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo, who authored the report.
Earlier on Friday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper, the WSJ. That will be an interesting experience!!!”
According to the Wall Street Journal, the letter in question “contained several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker”.
“Inside the outline of the naked woman was a typewritten note styled as an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein, written in the third person,” the paper reports.
The note reportedly includes a joking reference that “Enigmas never age” and allegedly concludes with the words: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump denied writing the note following the article’s publication on Thursday, stating: “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures.”
On Friday, Trump declined to answer reporters’ questions about his relationship with Epstein and why he had not ordered the release of more documents.
Instead, he requested the Attorney General to produce documents related to secretive grand jury testimony, potentially leading to a prolonged court process. The timing and certainty of the release of these documents, or whether they contain the details sought by Trump’s supporters, remain unclear.
Trump’s directive regarding grand jury testimony followed sustained pressure from some of his most loyal supporters demanding further disclosures in the Epstein case.
Some Trump loyalists have called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to resign after she reversed course on releasing certain documents related to Epstein.
In February, Bondi stated that a “client list” belonging to Epstein was “sitting on my desk right now.” However, last week, her office announced that no such “client list” exists.
Chad Bianco, a Republican sheriff running for California governor, told BBC News that Trump’s handling of the Epstein files was “not what I was expecting” and that “millions” of his followers are disappointed.
“We feel like we’re being talked down to like stupid children.”
Trump and Murdoch have maintained a relationship spanning several decades.
The 94-year-old media tycoon’s media empire, which includes Fox News, is often credited with significantly contributing to Trump’s ascent to the White House.
However, their relationship grew strained over the years, particularly following Trump’s loss in the 2020 election to Joe Biden.
“We want to make Trump a non-person,” Murdoch wrote in an email that surfaced during court battles over Fox’s role in spreading misinformation during the 2020 election.
Trump’s recent victory in 2024 appeared to reconcile the two figures. During a February visit to the White House, Trump described Murdoch as “a class by himself” and “an amazing guy.”
On Sunday, the two men were photographed together attending the FIFA World Cup in New Jersey.
Attorney General Bondi was also observed watching the match from the president’s private box.
Meanwhile, members of Congress are advocating for the passage of a “discharge petition” that would compel Bondi to “make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorneys’ Offices” pertaining to Epstein.
This effort has garnered support from ideological rivals in Congress, including Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Big screen footage of the two people went viral after reports they were colleagues and at least one was married to another person.
Some 250 Venezuelans deported from the US to El Salvador were exchanged for 10 Americans held by Caracas.
Federal agents are investigating, but authorities describe it as “an isolated incident” with no further threat to the public.
Flash floods swept away the empty vehicle, causing it to careen into the bridge.
A court in Brazil also bars the ex-president from using social media and put him under 24-hour surveillance.