Chicago – July 19, 2025
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owners, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch, demanding at least $10 billion in damages. The case was filed in a federal court in Miami.
The Wall Street Journal published a story saying Trump’s name appeared on a 2003 birthday card sent to Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier.The card allegedly had a suggestive drawing and hinted that Trump and Epstein shared secrets.Trump says this story is completely false and was published just to hurt his reputation.
The defendants named in Trump’s lawsuit include:
- Rupert Murdoch, owner of the Wall Street Journal’s parent companies
- Dow Jones & Company
- News Corp and its CEO, Robert Thomson
- Two reporters from the Wall Street Journal
Trump’s legal case claims the article defamed him and caused huge harm to his finances and reputation. In order to win, Trump must prove that the Wall Street Journal knowingly published something false or was very reckless in checking their facts.
Jeffrey Epstein was a wealthy financier who was jailed for sex crimes and died in 2019 in New York. Many conspiracy theories grew up around Epstein, especially among Trump supporters.
Dow Jones, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal, says its reporting is strong and accurate, and they plan to defend themselves.
A $10 billion award would be much bigger than any other recent payout for a defamation lawsuit. If Trump wins, it could set a new record.
