President Donald Trump has initiated a legal push for Rupert Murdoch to testify swiftly in a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, citing the media figure's advanced age and health issues. Trump filed the lawsuit against Murdoch's News Corp following an article that claimed he penned a “bawdy” letter to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on his birthday in 2003. In formal documents submitted on Monday, Trump’s legal team indicated that Murdoch had been informed beforehand that the letter was a forgery.
Trump's lawyers highlighted Murdoch's 94 years of age and recent health complications, suggesting these factors combined might render him unable to offer testimony during the trial. “These elements strongly suggest that Murdoch could be unavailable for live testimony,” they remarked in a Miami federal court filing.
The lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, which seeks $10 billion in damages, accuses the publication of attempting to tarnish Trump's reputation. Currently, the Journal’s publisher, Dow Jones, maintains its stance on the article and is ready to defend itself vigorously against Trump’s claims. U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles has instructed Murdoch to respond to the deposition request by August 4.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the letter allegedly signed by Trump featured typewritten phrases surrounded by a drawing of a naked woman, styled as a humorous dialogue between Trump and Epstein. It reportedly included clever remarks and concluded with a birthday wish that alluded to “enigmas never aging.”
Trump has denied authorship of the note, asserting it does not reflect his speech pattern or drawing style. This coverage emerged amid growing calls for the Trump administration to release details about Epstein. Trump has claimed that his rapport with Epstein deteriorated around 2004, before Epstein faced charges related to sex trafficking. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for similar allegations.
Alongside the birthday card controversy, the Wall Street Journal noted that Trump was mentioned in Justice Department documents involving Epstein. On Monday, Trump hinted to reporters that his name could have been inserted into the Epstein files by former Attorney General Merrick Garland or ex-FBI Director James Comey—allegations for which he did not furnish evidence. Garland and Comey have yet to comment on Trump's assertions.
