U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Rupert Murdoch after the newspaper published a highly controversial report alleging Trump once sent a bawdy, off-color letter to Jeffrey Epstein, complete with a crude drawing of a naked woman and Trump’s signature placed suggestively.
According to the WSJ article, the letter was part of an album of greetings given to Epstein on his 50th birthday in 2003. The report claims it features a drawing of female breasts, with Trump’s signature scrawled in the location of pubic hair, alongside typewritten text in Trump’s characteristic tone. The Journal stated it reviewed the letter directly.
Trump’s Response:
Trump categorically denied ever sending such a letter and lashed out on Truth Social, calling it a “FAKE story”, stating:
“These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures.”
He said he had personally warned Rupert Murdoch against printing the story and accused WSJ Editor Emma Tucker of ignoring his team’s denial:
“I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam… now I’m going to sue his ass off, and that of his third-rate newspaper.”
Trump added that the Journal is a “Disgusting and Filthy Rag”, accusing it of publishing “malicious and defamatory lies” to stay relevant.
Legal Action Threatened:
Trump declared his intention to sue all parties involved, signaling a high-stakes legal and media confrontation. If pursued, this could lead to one of the most high-profile libel battles involving a sitting U.S. President and a major news outlet.
He argued the letter was likely fabricated, and questioned the existence of any credible sources, saying:
“The Press has to learn to be truthful, and not rely on sources that probably don’t even exist.”
Broader Context:
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The timing of the story has sparked speculation, as it coincides with renewed public scrutiny of the Epstein case, including calls to release the so-called “Epstein client list”.
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Trump has dismissed the ongoing attention as the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax”, urging his supporters to “move on”, even as some within his base continue to demand accountability for anyone linked to Epstein’s network.
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While Trump was associated with Epstein socially in the 1990s and was listed on a few domestic flights, there is no evidence he visited Epstein’s private island or participated in criminal activities.
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Trump has stated he cut ties with Epstein long ago, and his administration denied the existence of a formal client list when pressed.
Media Reactions & Implications:
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The WSJ stands by its reporting so far but has not publicly released the letter or its image.
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Legal experts note that for Trump to win a defamation suit, he would have to prove “actual malice”, meaning the Journal knowingly published false information or recklessly ignored the truth — a very high bar under U.S. libel law, especially for public figures.
Conclusion:
This episode adds another flashpoint to Trump’s contentious relationship with the mainstream media and resurfaces his historic proximity to Epstein, an issue his critics continue to exploit. Whether the legal threat will materialize remains uncertain, but the story has already reignited political debate about Trump’s past, the media’s role, and the unresolved questions still swirling around the Epstein scandal.
