Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, has filed a lawsuit against Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), accusing them of violating federal defamation laws. The legal action stems from a WSJ report about a birthday card Trump allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, which included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to shared secrets.
Legal Battle Escalates
The lawsuit was filed in the federal court of the Southern District of Florida, though a copy of the complaint was not immediately available. Trump has vehemently denied the WSJ's report, which Reuters has not independently verified, and has threatened legal action against Murdoch, the founder of News Corp, the parent company of WSJ.
Epstein Case Revisited
In a related development, the U.S. Government moved to release grand jury transcripts related to Epstein, the deceased financier and convicted sex offender. The Department of Justice argued that the criminal cases against Epstein and his former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, are of public interest, warranting the disclosure of these documents.
Trump's Relationship with Epstein Under Scrutiny
Trump's ties to Epstein have come under increasing scrutiny, especially among his supporters, who believe the government is covering up Epstein's connections to the wealthy and powerful. A recent Department of Justice memo concluded that Epstein's death was a suicide and found no evidence of an "incriminating client list" or that Epstein blackmailed prominent figures.
Background on Epstein
Epstein's alleged sexual abuse of girls became public in 2006, leading to his arrest and a plea deal. He was arrested again in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking conspiracy but was found dead in his prison cell later that year. Trump has admitted knowing Epstein socially in the 1990s and early 2000s but claims he distanced himself long before Epstein's legal troubles surfaced.
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