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President Donald Trump has filed a libel lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its parent company, Dow Jones, accusing the publication of defamation over a controversial article linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in Miami, targets both the publication and the two reporters responsible for the story, Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo.

The article in question centers on a collection of birthday letters allegedly given to Epstein in 2003 for his 50th birthday, one of which reportedly includes a note signed by Trump and a drawing of a naked woman. Trump strongly denies creating or authoring either.

“The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued,” Trump stated on Truth Social.

Accusations of Journalistic Misconduct

The 18-page complaint claims the Journal's reporting represents “glaring failures in journalistic ethics and standards of accurate reporting.”

Trump’s legal team insists the reporters never published the alleged letter or drawing, because they don’t exist.

“The reason for those failures is because no authentic letter or drawing exists,” the lawsuit declares.

The Wall Street Journal has stood by its reporting. A spokesperson for Dow Jones said, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”

Trump’s Wall Street Journal Libel Lawsuit Captures Headlines

The Journal’s article has reignited public interest in Trump’s relationship with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges. Though the article’s events date back two decades, the implications have surfaced as a political flashpoint during Trump’s second term.

While campaigning in 2024, Trump promised to release more files on Epstein—a pledge that resonated with right-wing influencers skeptical of official reports about Epstein's death. 

However, a memo from his own Justice Department later confirmed there was no evidence of a “client list,” disappointing many in his MAGA base.

As Trump’s legal team prepares for a prolonged battle with the Wall Street Journal, the case could set new precedents for how U.S. presidents interact with the press—and how far they’re willing to go to fight back.

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Yahoo News – Trump files libel lawsuit