Trump Files $20 Billion Libel Lawsuit Against WSJ

President Donald Trump has filed a $20 billion libel lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, its parent company Dow Jones & Company, and two of its reporters.

The lawsuit claims the Journal published a false and defamatory story linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.

The legal action, filed Friday in federal court in Miami, centers on an article that alleged Trump sent Epstein a letter for Epstein’s 50th birthday, which included an outline drawing of a naked woman.

Trump denies the story, calling it a complete fabrication.

According to the lawsuit, no such letter or drawing exists. Trump’s legal team criticized the Journal for failing to adhere to journalistic ethics and accurate reporting standards.

The suit also points out that the article did not include the supposed letter or illustration.

The article was authored by Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo and was published on Thursday afternoon.

Both reporters are named as defendants alongside Dow Jones, which operates under Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, per the Conservative Brief.

Trump responded quickly after the article’s release, warning the Wall Street Journal in advance not to publish what he called a “FAKE” letter. He claimed that Murdoch personally promised to stop the publication, but failed to do so.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that he warned Murdoch directly about the letter’s falsity and threatened legal action if it was published. He added that Murdoch “did not have the power” to prevent the story’s release.

Dow Jones issued a brief statement affirming their confidence in the accuracy of their reporting and pledging to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.

This lawsuit is part of a broader effort by Trump to confront media outlets he accuses of working against him. Recently, his team has targeted major companies such as ABC, CBS, Meta, and X. Most of these cases ended in financial settlements to avoid lengthy court battles.

However, the case against the Wall Street Journal is expected to be a direct and highly publicized legal fight. Trump’s administration has also moved to increase transparency by unsealing grand jury testimony related to Epstein.

The Journal’s story suggesting Trump sent a risqué note to Epstein was viewed by Trump’s legal team as crossing a line. Their 18-page filing accuses the Journal of intentionally pushing a false political narrative.

Legal experts note that suing the press is an unusual step for a sitting president. First Amendment attorney Ted Boutrous told CNN that no president before has sued reporters or media executives over defamation claims.

Boutrous emphasized that presidents usually use their influence rather than lawsuits to challenge stories. Trump, however, has broken this tradition with multiple lawsuits against news organizations.

In 2024, Trump sued ABC News over anchor George Stephanopoulos’s repeated claim that Trump had been found guilty of rape in the E. Jean Carroll case. The jury had ruled otherwise, and Disney settled by paying $16 million for Trump’s future presidential library.

CBS, Meta, and X have also reached settlements in defamation cases involving Trump. Several lawsuits remain pending, with Trump indicating that more may be filed.

Trump’s connection to Epstein has resurfaced amid demands for the release of all documents related to Epstein. The Justice Department recently stated there is no evidence Epstein kept a “client list” or was murdered.

This conclusion caused division among Trump’s supporters and fueled accusations of a possible cover-up. The lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal marks the latest chapter in Trump’s ongoing battles with the media over stories tied to Epstein.

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