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Trump sues Murdoch over Epstein story in Wall Street Journal Trump admin asks court to release Jeffrey Epstein grand jury docs
(about 3 hours later)
President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal's parent company, its owner and two reporters, over a report claiming Trump wrote a "bawdy" personal note to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The US justice department has asked a judge to unseal material related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following intense criticism of the Trump administration's handling of the case.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami, names Dow Jones, News Corp and conservative media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, claiming the paper slandered him and violated libel laws. The request concerns transcripts from the grand jury involved in the government's 2019 sex trafficking case against Epstein, materials that are typically kept secret and protected by law.
Earlier, Trump had threatened that he would force Murdoch "to testify in my lawsuit against him and his 'pile of garbage' newspaper". The court filing came as Trump filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal's parent company, its owner Rupert Murdoch and two reporters, over a story claiming he wrote a "bawdy" personal note to Epstein in 2003.
Trump says the note, which the paper reported he'd sent for Epstein's 50th birthday, is "fake". It comes amid a backlash from his supporters over his handling of the Epstein case files. Trump said the note, which the paper reported he'd sent for Epstein's 50th birthday, is "fake".
Trump acknowledged that he and members of his staff attempted to halt publication of the story. He said the newspaper and Murdoch "were warned directly" they would be sued if they printed the article, describing it as "false, malicious, and defamatory". On Thursday, he ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of documents related to Epstein's secretive grand jury testimony.
The lawsuit also names the two reporters who wrote the story, Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo. The justice department formally made the request to a judge in New York, arguing the materials related to the case - where he was charged with trafficking dozens of girls as young as 14 - "qualify as a matter of public interest".
Earlier on Friday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, writing: "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!!!" The department is also asking for disclosures in the case of his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in the child sex trafficking conspiracy.
A grand jury - a panel of people who vet whether there is enough evidence to charge a person with a crime - can hear from confidential informants and those whose identities are protected for their safety. Materials in a grand jury are typically kept secret under the law, but a judge can unseal documents if they decide public interest outweighs the need for such legal protections in a case.
Either way, it's unclear when or if documents will be released, or if they contain many of the details Trump's supporters have been demanding.
Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world
Trump's voters want to see the Epstein files - but have faith in their president
Also on Friday, Trump filed a $10bn (£7.5bn) lawsuit in Miami against Dow Jones, News Corp and conservative media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.
He claimed the Wall Street Journal slandered him and violated libel laws in an article alleging that a "bawdy" birthday greeting bearing Trump's name was sent to Epstein in 2003, before the late financier was charged with sex crimes.
The president acknowledged that the White House attempted to halt publication of the story. He said the newspaper and Murdoch - with whom Trump has had an up-and-down relationship for decades - "were warned directly" they would be sued if they printed the article, describing it as "false, malicious, and defamatory".
Trump threatened that he would force Murdoch to testify in the suit.
"This lawsuit is filed not only on behalf of your favourite President, ME, but also in order to continue standing up for ALL Americans who will no longer tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Fake News Media," he wrote in another post on Friday.
Murdoch, who was seen on Sunday attending the Fifa World Cup with Trump, founded a media empire which is credited by some with helping propel the president to the White House.
Trump and Murdoch appeared together in the Oval Office in February 2025
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), a letter bearing Trump's name "contained several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker".According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), a letter bearing Trump's name "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."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.
It reportedly contains a joking reference that "Enigmas never age" and allegedly ends with the words: "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret."It reportedly contains a joking reference that "Enigmas never age" and allegedly ends with the words: "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret."
Trump denied writing the note after the article was published on Thursday, posting: "These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures."Trump denied writing the note after the article was published on Thursday, posting: "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. The developments on Friday came amid a turbulent week for the president as some of his most loyal supporters demanded more transparency and public disclosure in the Epstein case.
Instead, he asked the Attorney General to produce documents related to secretive grand jury testimony, which could prove to be a lengthy court process. It's unclear when or if those documents will be released, or if they contain the details Trump's supporters have been demanding be released publicly. Some Trump loyalists have even called for Attorney General Bondi to resign after she reversed course on releasing certain documents related to Epstein.
Trump's order concerning grand jury testimony came after days of 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 said that a "client list" belonging to Epstein was "sitting on my desk right now". Then last week, her office announced that there is no such "client list".In February, Bondi said that a "client list" belonging to Epstein was "sitting on my desk right now". Then last week, her office announced that there is no such "client list".
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.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.""We feel like we're being talked down to like stupid children."
Trump and Murdoch have a relationship that goes back decades.
The 94-year-old media tycoon's media empire, which includes Fox News, is often credited with helping propel Trump to the White House.
But the two grew more distant over the years and their relationship started to collapse following Trump's loss at the ballot box in 2020 to Joe Biden.
"We want to make Trump a non-person," Murdoch wrote in an email that emerged during court battles over Fox's role spreading misinformation in the 2020 election.
Trump's more recent victory in 2024 appeared to bring the two together again. During a February visit to the White House, Trump referred to Murdoch as "a class by himself" and "an amazing guy".
On Sunday, the two men were pictured together attending the Fifa World Cup in New Jersey.
Attorney General Bondi was also seen watching the match from the president's private box.
Meanwhile, members of Congress are pushing to pass a "discharge petition" that would force 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" relating to Epstein.Meanwhile, members of Congress are pushing to pass a "discharge petition" that would force 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" relating to Epstein.
The effort has brought together some of Congress's fiercest opponents, including Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who are both signed on as supporters.The effort has brought together some of Congress's fiercest opponents, including Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who are both signed on as supporters.