President Donald Trump escalated his fight with mainstream media by filing a massive lawsuit Friday. The Trump defamation lawsuit targets The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. It seeks $10 billion in damages.
This move came one day after the Journal published claims tying Trump to financier Jeffrey Epstein. The article described a letter allegedly written by Trump. It appeared in a birthday album compiled for Epstein in 2003.
Trump immediately denied writing the letter. He said the story was false, misleading, and meant to damage his reputation. According to the lawsuit, the publication acted “knowingly and recklessly” in sharing the details.
Moreover, Trump said he had warned Murdoch and editor Emma Tucker before publication. He told them the letter was “fake” and demanded they stop the story.
Despite those warnings, the Journal released the article. However, the paper did not publish the full image of the letter. It also did not clarify how it obtained the material.
Trump’s legal team noted that omission in court filings. The Trump defamation lawsuit claims the outlet “failed to produce evidence the letter ever existed.” The filing accuses the Journal of fabricating the letter. It also argues that the story unfairly portrays Trump in a “false light.”
Meanwhile, the Justice Department took a separate but related step Friday. Officials asked a court to unseal grand jury records from the Epstein case. The government said redactions would protect victims’ identities before public release.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the need for transparency. Still, he said protecting victims remains the top legal priority.
At the same time, pressure continues to mount on Trump. Some of his own supporters now question the administration’s reluctance to release all Epstein documents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously promised more information. But so far, no new Epstein-related files have surfaced from her office. The controversy has triggered strong reactions among Trump’s base. Some say the case raises concerns about truth, transparency, and trust.
Despite the noise, the Trump defamation lawsuit continues to dominate headlines. It reflects ongoing tensions between Trump and the media—and signals more legal battles ahead.
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