President Donald J. Trump has filed a movement in federal courtroom to compel the expedited deposition of 94-year-old media mogul Rupert Murdoch, accusing the Wall Road Journal and its dad or mum firm, Information Corp., of publishing a “faux” and defamatory article that falsely related Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The article on the heart of the defamation go well with, titled “Jeffrey Epstein’s Mates Despatched Him Bawdy Letters for a fiftieth Birthday Album. One was from Donald Trump”, was revealed on July 18, 2025.
In line with the hit piece revealed by The Wall Road Journal, President Trump wrote Jeffrey Epstein a “bawdy” letter for his fiftieth birthday depicting a unadorned girl.
President Trump denied writing the letter. Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly ready a ‘particular present’ and picked up letters from Trump and others.
“Maxwell collected letters from Trump and dozens of Epstein’s different associates for a 2003 birthday album, based on paperwork reviewed by The Wall Road Journal,” The Wall Road Journal reported.
“Pages from the leather-bound album—assembled earlier than Epstein was first arrested in 2006—are among the many paperwork examined by Justice Division officers who investigated Epstein and Maxwell years in the past, based on individuals who have reviewed the pages. It’s unclear if any of the pages are a part of the Trump administration’s current evaluation,” WSJ reported.
“The letter bearing Trump’s title, which was reviewed by the Journal, is bawdy—like others within the album. It comprises a number of traces of typewritten textual content framed by the define of a unadorned girl, which seems to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. A pair of small arcs denotes the lady’s breasts, and the long run president’s signature is a squiggly “Donald” under her waist, mimicking pubic hair,” The Wall Road Journal reported.
Trump claims the article is a part of a malicious, coordinated smear marketing campaign supposed to undermine his character, integrity, and political resurgence heading into the 2026 midterms.
On July 18, Trump introduced the lawsuit on his Fact Social.
“BREAKING NEWS: We have now simply filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit in opposition to everybody concerned in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS “article” within the ineffective “rag” that’s, The Wall Road Journal.
This historic authorized motion is being introduced in opposition to the so-called authors of this defamation, the now absolutely disgraced WSJ, in addition to its company homeowners and associates, with Rupert Murdoch and Robert Thomson (no matter his position is!) on the prime of the record.
We have now proudly held to account ABC and George Slopadopoulos, CBS and 60 Minutes, The Faux Pulitzer Prizes, and plenty of others who deal in, and push, disgusting LIES, and even FRAUD, to the American Individuals.
This lawsuit is filed not solely on behalf of your favourite President, ME, but additionally with a purpose to proceed standing up for ALL People who will not tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Faux Information Media.
I hope Rupert and his “mates” are trying ahead to the various hours of depositions and testimonies they should present on this case. Thanks on your consideration to this matter. We’ll, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
In line with the submitting, Trump personally referred to as Murdoch after his staff was tipped off by WSJ reporter Joseph Palazzolo. Throughout that decision, Murdoch allegedly informed Trump he would “care for it.” As an alternative, the article was revealed anyway.
Within the 11-page authorized submitting, Trump’s attorneys argue that Murdoch—resulting from his age, historical past of significant medical points, and distance from the Florida courtroom—is probably not accessible to testify at trial.
As such, they’re demanding an emergency deposition de bene esse (a particular pre-trial deposition used when a witness is unlikely to have the ability to testify later).
In line with the movement, “Murdoch’s age and well being warrant conducting his deposition on an expedited foundation. Murdoch lately turned 94 years previous and has suffered, however fortunately overcome, a number of well being points all through his life. Furthermore, upon info and perception, Murdoch resides in New York, New York, which is properly over 100 miles from this District. Thus, it’s presumable, each due to his age and well being and/or his distance from this Courtroom, that Murdoch shall be unavailable for trial.”
The Southern District of Florida has not but dominated on the movement, but when granted, the deposition of Rupert Murdoch may occur inside 15 days.
