Trump Sues Murdoch for $10 Billion Over Epstein Allegations

President Donald Trump is engaged in a high-profile $10 billion defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch, the Wall Street Journal, and Dow Jones over allegations that Trump sent a "bawdy" birthday letter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denies the authenticity of the letter and drawing reported by the Journal and is pushing for a swift deposition of the 94-year-old Murdoch, citing his health concerns. This legal battle marks a significant rupture in the longstanding transactional relationship between Trump and Murdoch, who historically have benefited from mutual media exposure and influence. Despite tensions, Murdoch remains defiant, backing his editors and showing no intention of settling, while the lawsuit raises questions about the boundaries of libel law concerning public figures and the "actual malice" standard. The dispute has also affected media coverage, with Fox News notably reducing its reporting on the case, highlighting the complex power dynamics between Trump and Murdoch’s media empire. Media analysts and commentators see this conflict as a defining moment in Trump’s ongoing war on the press and a potential turning point in his relationship with one of the right’s most influential figures.