President Donald Trump has initiated a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its influential owner, Rupert Murdoch, marking a significant turn in this high-profile legal matter. In both legal filings and on social media platforms, Trump asserts that he explicitly informed Murdoch that a provocative birthday greeting he allegedly sent to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein was fabricated and did not exist. Despite Trump's warnings, the Journal proceeded to report on the purported greeting, prompting Trump to seek a federal judge's intervention in Miami.
Trump's legal team is requesting that the judge compel Murdoch, whom Trump has previously referred to as “my very good friend,” to answer questions under oath within 15 days of the court's order. They acknowledge that the lawsuit is in its infancy, with no established court deadlines as of yet. However, they argue that Murdoch's advanced age and health issues make it unlikely for him to testify in person if a trial were to take place. At 94 years old, Murdoch has faced various health challenges and has reportedly suffered recent significant health scares.
The legal filing underscores Murdoch's age and cites past health incidents, including a collapse during a breakfast meeting with Rebekah Brooks, the CEO of his British holdings, earlier this year. The judge has mandated that Murdoch respond to this unusual demand for an expedited deposition, as he is the only individual Trump has requested to be compelled to testify.
Legal expert Joseph Azam, a former senior vice president for Murdoch's media empire, describes Trump’s tactics as representative of his broader approach to using lawfare to silence critics. Azam points out that Trump's decision to pursue this lawsuit against a media mogul is a bold move, considering Murdoch's own resources and influence in navigating such legal challenges. He notes that the demand for Murdoch's urgent deposition could be seen as a provocative attempt to challenge a powerful figure in the media.
Rupert Murdoch is the chairman emeritus of News Corp, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, and several publications across the U.K. and Australia. His son, Lachlan Murdoch, currently serves as the company's chair. Despite the ongoing lawsuit, neither News Corp nor Murdoch has issued a statement in response to Trump's allegations, and the Journal has opted not to comment through its spokesperson.
In a recent development, the Journal reported that the Justice Department informed Trump that his name is included in materials related to Epstein. This report has not been independently verified by NPR, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has indicated that she briefed Trump on the findings, although she did not confirm if she disclosed his name’s appearance.
While outside legal scholars question the viability of Trump's defamation suit, it’s worth noting that his attorneys have successfully secured settlements ranging from $10 million to $25 million from other media companies, including X, ABC, CBS, and Facebook. Despite these settlements, Trump has not been successful in previous trials against major media outlets like the New York Times, CNN, and the Washington Post, all of which have dismissed his lawsuits with minimal attention.
Trump and Murdoch have shared a relationship for nearly fifty years, cultivated through their connections in New York City. Their alliance has evolved significantly since Trump's presidential campaign, with Murdoch's media outlets, particularly Fox News, playing a pivotal role in shaping Trump's public image.
However, the relationship has faced strain, especially as Murdoch has explored potential candidates for the 2024 presidential election and has published critical reporting on Trump’s policies, including his tariff proposals. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board has been particularly vocal in its criticisms of Trump, leading to heightened tensions between the former president and the media mogul.
In the specific case concerning the alleged birthday greeting to Epstein, Trump has placed direct blame on Murdoch. He stated on social media that both he and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned the Journal's editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, that the story was false. Trump has criticized the media for relying on dubious sources and demanded greater accountability in reporting.
The Journal has yet to produce the alleged greeting, which Trump’s attorneys claim does not exist. The original lawsuit accuses the Journal of disseminating false and defamatory statements at the direction of Murdoch and his chief executive, Robert Thomson. Historically, the Journal has maintained rigorous standards for its reporting, even when faced with pressure from its ownership.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains uncertain whether Trump truly desires the trial to progress to the discovery phase, which would allow Murdoch’s legal team to access private documents and question Trump about his connections to Epstein. Azam suggests that Trump’s outreach to Murdoch may have been an attempt to leverage their longstanding friendship to prevent the publication of potentially damaging stories. However, such an approach may not be effective given the Journal's commitment to journalistic integrity.
In conclusion, Trump's lawsuit against Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal highlights the intersection of politics, media, and legal strategy. As this case progresses, it will be critical to observe how both parties navigate the litigation and the potential implications for Trump's public persona and his relationship with the media landscape.
