Trump Threatens Lawsuit Against Murdoch, WSJ Over Epstein Letter Report

President Donald Trump launched a fierce attack against The Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch after the newspaper published a report alleging Trump sent a birthday card to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein that included a drawing of a naked woman and a cryptic message. Trump vehemently denied the authenticity of the letter, calling it fake and defamatory, and announced plans to sue The Wall Street Journal, News Corp, and Murdoch personally. He claimed he had warned both Murdoch and the WSJ editor Emma Tucker not to publish the story, but they proceeded despite these warnings and statements from his press secretary Karoline Leavitt that the letter was fabricated. Trump accused the media outlet of desperation and spreading falsehoods to remain relevant, and criticized coverage of the Epstein case by other political figures and media as politically motivated. Attorney General Pam Bondi responded to Trump's call to release grand jury transcripts related to Epstein, indicating readiness to move to unseal them. Trump has also sought to quell discussion of the Epstein story among his supporters, while maintaining his stance that the press must be truthful and accountable.