Donald Trump launched a $10 billion defamation lawsuit towards The Wall Road Journal and its father or mother firms in Miami federal courtroom, 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 Road Journal, Dow Jones, Information 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.
On the heart 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 word 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.
“Now we have simply filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit,” Trump declared, earlier than pivoting right into a broader assault on the media. “This lawsuit is filed not solely on behalf of your favourite President, ME, but in addition with a view to proceed standing up for ALL People who will now not tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Faux Information Media.”
The lawsuit accuses the Journal of “clear journalistic failures” and claims the story brought about Trump vital monetary and reputational injury.
In the meantime, Trump can be calling for the discharge of sealed grand jury information tied to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
This authorized battle is the newest in a string of controversial lawsuits Trump has filed towards main media retailers. He beforehand sued CBS Information and ABC Information, together with a $20 billion declare towards 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 ways, mixed with media firms’ willingness to settle, may chill reporting and erode First Modification 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 individuals” and threatens lawsuits or regulatory motion in response to tales he dislikes.
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