Trump Seeks Expedited Deposition of Elderly Murdoch in $10B Defamation Suit

President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal over an article alleging Trump sent a lewd letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday, which Trump denies. Due to Murdoch's advanced age of 94 and multiple health issues, Trump's legal team has requested an expedited deposition within 15 days, arguing that Murdoch may not be able to testify in person at trial. The filing highlights Murdoch's recent health scares, including hospitalization for COVID-19, fainting episodes, and past serious conditions like a broken back and seizures. Trump's lawyers emphasize Murdoch's hands-on editorial role in the publication of the contested article and cite his alleged promise to Trump to 'take care' of the story. The request for a swift deposition is unusual at this early stage of litigation, typically reserved for the discovery phase, reflecting concerns about preserving Murdoch's testimony. Meanwhile, the lawsuit's progression remains uncertain given the high legal standards for public figures to prove defamation and actual malice.