Trump Files $10 Billion Lawsuit Against Murdoch Over Epstein Coverage

President disputes authenticity of reported 2003 birthday letter as Justice Department moves to unseal grand jury documents

President Donald Trump has launched a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal, escalating a fierce dispute over a bombshell report linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in Miami, centres on the Journal's Thursday report about a purported 2003 birthday letter Trump allegedly sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday. According to the newspaper, the letter contained suggestive content and was illustrated with a hand-drawn naked woman.

Trump vehemently denied writing the letter, calling it "fake" on his Truth Social platform. "These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures," the president posted, describing the publication as a "useless rag."

The reported letter was part of a birthday album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, who was later convicted in a child sex trafficking conspiracy. The Journal described the letter as containing "several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman" and styled as an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein.

A Dow Jones spokesperson told the BBC the company has "full confidence in the rigour and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit."

The legal action marks a dramatic escalation in Trump's response to renewed scrutiny over his past association with Epstein. Trump and the late financier were photographed together at various social events in the 1990s and early 2000s, though no evidence of wrongdoing by Trump has emerged.

In a parallel development, the Justice Department formally requested Friday that a New York judge unseal grand jury transcripts from the government's 2019 sex trafficking case against Epstein. The unusual move came after Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of documents related to Epstein's case.

The request reflects mounting pressure from Trump's base, who have long demanded transparency about Epstein's activities and his connections to powerful figures. Some Trump supporters have expressed disappointment with the administration's handling of Epstein-related documents, creating rare political turbulence for the president among his most loyal followers.

Epstein died by apparent suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges he sexually exploited dozens of underage girls. His death fueled conspiracy theories, particularly among Trump supporters who believed in the existence of a client list that had never materialised.

The timing of Trump's lawsuit is politically sensitive, coming as some of his most ardent supporters have criticised his administration's approach to Epstein document releases. Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running for California governor, told the BBC that Trump's handling of the Epstein files was not what he was "expecting" and that "millions" of followers are disappointed.

Congressional members from both parties, including Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are pushing for broader document releases through a discharge petition that would force the Justice Department's hand.

The relationship between Trump and Murdoch has been notably volatile over the years, despite Murdoch's media empire helping propel Trump to political prominence. The two were recently seen together at the FIFA Club World Cup and appeared in the Oval Office in February.

Whether the court will authorise the unsealing of grand jury materials remains unclear, as does the timeline for any potential document releases. Legal experts note that grand jury materials are typically kept secret under federal law, though judges can order disclosure if public interest outweighs confidentiality protections.