Donald Trump launched a $10 billion defamation lawsuit in opposition to The Wall Street Journal and its dad or mum corporations in Miami federal court docket, accusing the publication of falsely linking him to a risqué birthday letter allegedly despatched to Jeffrey Epstein.

The criticism, filed Tuesday (July 18), names The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, News Corp, proprietor Rupert Murdoch and two of the paper’s reporters, claiming they printed a “false, defamatory, unsubstantiated, and disparaging” story that Trump says by no means ought to have seen the sunshine of day.

At the middle of the go well with is a 2003 letter WSJ reported was written by Trump to Epstein for his fiftieth birthday.

The article claimed the notice was a part of a leather-bound album curated by Ghislaine Maxwell, which allegedly included a nude sketch and suggestive remarks.

Trump flat-out denied ever writing such a letter, calling it “FAKE.”

He additionally took a direct shot at Murdoch, saying he appeared ahead to seeing him on the witness stand.

“We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit,” Trump declared, earlier than pivoting right into a broader assault on the media. “This lawsuit is filed not only on behalf of your favorite President, ME, but also in order to continue standing up for ALL Americans who will no longer tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Fake News Media.”

The lawsuit accuses the Journal of “clear journalistic failures” and claims the story prompted Trump important monetary and reputational harm.

Meanwhile, Trump can also be calling for the discharge of sealed grand jury data tied to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

This authorized battle is the most recent in a string of controversial lawsuits Trump has filed in opposition to main media retailers. He beforehand sued CBS News and ABC News, together with a $20 billion declare in opposition to CBS over an edited 60 Minutes interview. He’s additionally reached settlements with Paramount and Disney, every reportedly paying him $16 million.

Critics argue Trump’s authorized blitz is a part of a broader marketing campaign to intimidate the press. Advocacy teams warn that his techniques, mixed with media corporations’ willingness to settle, might chill reporting and erode First Amendment protections.

Trump has additionally focused retailers like PBS and NPR, taking steps to chop federal funding, over protection that didn’t align along with his narrative. He continues to label journalists who problem him as “enemies of the people” and threatens lawsuits or regulatory motion in response to tales he dislikes.

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