Donald Trump has launched a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, fiercely contesting a recent article that described him as having a 'longtime friendship' with the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
The legal action, filed in a Florida court, centres on a piece published by the newspaper which reported on a 1992 party at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The article stated that Mr Trump had personally invited Epstein to the event.
Trump's Vehement Denial
A spokesperson for the former president issued a forceful statement, declaring, 'This is a completely false and defamatory statement. President Trump was not friends with Jeffrey Epstein.' The statement went further, alleging that the Journal's reporting was a 'politically motivated hit job' designed to damage Mr Trump's reputation.
The lawsuit claims the article was published with 'actual malice' and has caused significant harm to Mr Trump. It seeks unspecified damages for defamation.
Context of the 1992 Party
The contentious report detailed a birthday celebration held for a former Mar-a-Lago club president. According to the Journal's sources, Epstein was among the high-profile guests in attendance. The article used this event to frame a narrative of an established social relationship between the two men.
Mr Trump's legal team argues that the characterisation of a 'longtime friendship' is a gross misrepresentation, insisting their client had only a casual, distant acquaintance with Epstein, consistent with interactions common in Palm Beach social circles at the time.
A Pattern of Legal Challenges
This lawsuit marks the latest in a series of legal battles Mr Trump has initiated against media organisations. He has frequently characterised negative press coverage as 'fake news' and has not shied away from using the courts to challenge reporting he deems inaccurate.
The Wall Street Journal has not yet issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit. Media law experts suggest the case will likely hinge on the legal definition of 'friendship' and the threshold for proving defamation against a public figure in the United States.
