TRUMP SUES WALL STREET JOURNAL OVER EPSTEIN REPORT, SEEKS $10 BILLION
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), its parent companies, and several top executives, accusing them of publishing a “false and malicious” story connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The suit, filed on July 18, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida, claims that the newspaper defamed Trump by alleging he sent Epstein a crude birthday note in 2003 containing a nude sketch and an inappropriate message.
The WSJ article in question detailed findings from a leather-bound birthday album allegedly given to Epstein by Ghislaine Maxwell. According to the report, the album contained letters and notes from prominent individuals, including one allegedly from Trump. The letter reportedly featured a sketch of a naked woman alongside a message that read, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” followed by the name “Donald.” The article suggested the note reflected a personal connection between Trump and Epstein.
Trump has categorically denied writing the note or ever having seen it. On his Truth Social platform, he called the report a “total fabrication” and labeled the WSJ as “Fake News.” He added that the lawsuit was not just about protecting his reputation but standing up for Americans who are tired of being misled by mainstream media. In the lawsuit, Trump seeks at least $10 billion in damages and is demanding a full retraction of the story.
The lawsuit names several key figures, including Rupert Murdoch, CEO Robert Thomson, and the two reporters behind the story, Joseph Palazzolo and Khadeeja Safdar. It accuses them of knowingly publishing false information or acting with reckless disregard for the truth—a standard that public figures like Trump must prove to win a defamation case in the United States.
Legal experts note that the bar for Trump’s success in this case is very high. Under the landmark 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan ruling, Trump must demonstrate “actual malice” to prevail—meaning he must show that the WSJ either knew the information was false or acted with extreme recklessness. While the amount sought—$10 billion—is unprecedented, it reflects Trump’s strategy of aggressive legal pushback against media outlets he sees as hostile.
In response, Dow Jones, the WSJ’s publisher, stood by its reporting, stating, “We are confident in the accuracy, fairness, and integrity of our journalism and will vigorously defend against these baseless claims.” The paper has not issued a retraction and appears ready to challenge the lawsuit in court.
The case comes amid broader public interest in unsealed documents related to Epstein’s associates and past investigations. While Trump has long denied close ties to Epstein, his name has been mentioned in past depositions and media stories. The lawsuit adds another layer of legal complexity to Trump’s already crowded docket as he campaigns once again for the presidency in 2024.
Whether the case succeeds or not, it highlights Trump’s ongoing battle with the media and his determination to defend his public image against what he calls “political attacks masquerading as journalism.”