Murdoch Seeks to Dismiss Trump's $10 Billion Libel Lawsuit Over Epstein Report

Murdoch Seeks to Dismiss Trump's Libel Lawsuit Over Epstein Report Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. have asked a US judge to throw out President Donald Trump's $10 billion libel lawsuit over a Wall Street Journal report tying him to a bawdy birthday note sent to the late Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. In a filing Monday in federal court in Miami, lawyers for the 94-year-old News Corp. chairman emeritus argued that the July 17 story about the note bearing Trump's signature is true and does not defame the president's character. The suit was filed on July 18, accusing Murdoch, News Corp., and Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones Co. of maligning his character. "This meritless lawsuit threatens to chill the speech of those who dare to publish content that the President does not like," the filing stated. "By its very nature, this case is an affront to the First Amendment." Trump's lawyers have argued that the story was defamatory and caused harm to Trump's reputation. However, Murdoch's team countered that the story was a legitimate news report based on public records. "This lawsuit is a clear attempt by President Trump to silence critical reporting about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein," said a spokesperson for News Corp. "We are confident that the court will see through this frivolous lawsuit and dismiss it." The Wall Street Journal's story was part of a larger investigation into Epstein's relationships with powerful men, including Trump and Prince Andrew. The report sparked widespread criticism of Trump's handling of documents related to Epstein. Epstein died in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death has raised questions about the government's handling of the case and its potential connections to Trump's administration. The lawsuit is one of several high-profile libel cases filed by Trump against news organizations and individuals who have reported on his activities. Critics argue that these lawsuits are an attempt to intimidate journalists and stifle critical reporting. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the filing. The case is currently pending in federal court in Miami, with no trial date set. *Reporting by Fortune.*