Former US President Donald Trump has launched a high-stakes legal battle against The Wall Street Journal and media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, alleging defamation over an article that suggested ties between Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawsuit, filed in a US court, claims the publication deliberately misrepresented Trump's relationship with Epstein, causing "significant reputational damage." The WSJ article in question referenced a 1992 letter where Epstein reportedly sought Trump's help in resolving a financial dispute.
Trump's Legal Gambit
Trump's legal team argues the article created a false impression of close association between the former president and the convicted sex offender. "This was a malicious attempt to smear my client's reputation," stated one of Trump's attorneys.
Murdoch's Media Empire Under Fire
The case brings renewed scrutiny to Murdoch's News Corp, which owns The Wall Street Journal. Legal experts suggest this could become a landmark case in US libel law, testing the boundaries between investigative journalism and defamation.
The lawsuit seeks substantial damages and a retraction of the allegedly defamatory statements. Legal analysts predict this could be the opening salvo in a protracted courtroom battle between Trump and major media outlets.
