US President Donald Trump has filed a libel lawsuit against several major media companies, accusing them of publishing a false and defamatory story linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawsuit, filed in a Florida court, targets two Wall Street Journal reporters as well as the paper’s parent companies, Dow Jones and News Corp. Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has also been named as a defendant.
According to court records and media reports, the case centres on a Wall Street Journal article that claimed Trump sent Epstein a birthday greeting in 2003, allegedly featuring a sexually suggestive drawing and a provocative message.
The Journal described the card as showing “a pair of small arcs denoting the woman’s breasts” and claimed Trump’s signature appeared as a “squiggly ‘Donald’ below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.” The message reportedly read: “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
President Trump has denied ever creating or sending such a card and insists the letter is fabricated. “It’s fake, a complete lie,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, adding that he had warned Rupert Murdoch the story was false and expected it to be quashed.
“Mr. Murdoch stated that he would take care of it but, obviously, did not have the power to do so,” Trump wrote. “Instead, they are going with a false, malicious, defamatory story anyway.”
Trump had publicly declared his intention to sue earlier this week, saying the media companies involved had crossed a line by publishing the piece. The lawsuit was formally filed in Miami, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua, which first reported the legal action.
The case marks another chapter in Trump’s long-running battle with the mainstream press, particularly outlets owned by Murdoch. Although Fox News and the Wall Street Journal have historically been more conservative-leaning, their coverage of Trump has shifted at times, leading to open feuds with the former president.
Legal experts say the suit could face an uphill battle in court, as US defamation laws provide broad protection for news outlets, especially when covering public figures. Trump would have to prove that the story was not only false but published with actual malice—a high legal standard.
Neither the Wall Street Journal nor News Corp has issued a public comment on the suit. It also remains unclear whether the alleged birthday card will be presented as physical evidence or whether Trump’s legal team will challenge its authenticity in court.
The lawsuit could fuel further political tensions as Trump campaigns for re-election, continuing to frame the media as part of a broader conspiracy against him.
