Trump Says Murdoch, Wall Street Journal Seek Defamation Lawsuit Settlement

President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch over a story alleging Trump's name was on a sexually suggestive birthday greeting for Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denies authoring the letter and claims the story is fake, asserting the Journal published it to damage his reputation. He stated that Murdoch and the Journal are interested in settling the lawsuit, though he remains cautious about the outcome. Trump's legal team has requested an expedited deposition of the 94-year-old Murdoch, citing his age and health concerns to apply pressure. The lawsuit underscores a notable divide within Murdoch's media empire, where The Wall Street Journal has taken a tougher stance on Trump compared to Fox News, which remains more supportive. This legal battle highlights the complex relationship between Trump and Murdoch, who has historically influenced Trump's media presence but now appears to be confronting him through the Journal's investigative reporting.