Trump Seeks Swift Deposition of Rupert Murdoch in $10B Epstein Defamation Suit
đź“ť Summary:
Former President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking $10 billion in damages from Rupert Murdoch, the Wall Street Journal, its parent Dow Jones, and authors of a July 17 WSJ article. The dispute centers on claims Trump sent a “bawdy” birthday letter—with crude imagery—to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump vehemently denies the story, calling it entirely fabricated to damage his reputation.
In a motion filed on July 28, 2025, Trump’s legal team asked U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles to compel Rupert Murdoch, age 94, to give his deposition within 15 days. They cited Murdoch’s advanced age and “significant health scares”—hospitalizations, fainting episodes, arrhythmia, pneumonia, and a broken back—as evidence he may not be available later. The judge has ordered Murdoch to respond by August 4.
Trump argues that Murdoch had prior knowledge that the Epstein letter was false—allegedly promising to “take care of it” before it was published—and that this knowledge suggests “actual malice,” a legal standard public figures must meet to prevail in defamation cases. The Biden administration’s alleged role in campaign promises and failed transparency on Epstein’s files has added fuel to the controversy.
Dow Jones and Murdoch’s teams intend to oppose the expedited deposition request. The Journal maintains full confidence in the accuracy of its reporting and says it will vigorously defend against the suit. Legal experts note that Trump faces a high evidentiary threshold—big awards and reputational outcomes are rare in U.S. defamation law.
⚖️ Key Legal & Procedural Outcomes
-
Trump sues Murdoch and WSJ for defamation, seeking $10 billion.
-
Claims revolve around a birthday greeting rumor involving Epstein and Trump.
-
Deposition motion filed seeking Murdoch’s testimony within 15 days due to age/health concerns.
-
Judges have ordered Murdoch to respond by August 4.
-
Trump argues knowledge of the letter’s falsity by WSJ shows actual malice—central to defamation litigation.
âť— Why It Matters
-
High-stakes defamation case with potential repercussions for legacy media and billion‑dollar payouts.
-
Raises questions about executive-media relationships, responsibilities, and legal accountability.
-
Emphasizes aging witnesses and health-based litigation strategy in scheduling key testimony.
-
Challenges the robustness of the actual malice standard in defamation law.
-
Part of broader public scrutiny on Trump’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein and related transparency controversies.
Reuters – Published July 28, 2025 Reuters
🔍 Tags
trump murdoch deposition, trump defamation lawsuit, wall street journal Epstein article, $10B defamation claim, actual malice standard, murdoch health deposition, judge gayles deposition order
