Background on Key Figures
Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, and two Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporters. This legal action stems from a WSJ article detailing a controversial birthday card sent by Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
Who is Donald Trump?
Donald Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from January 2017 to January 2021. A real estate mogul and television personality, Trump has been a prominent figure in American politics and media for decades.
Who is Rupert Murdoch?
Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born American media mogul who founded News Corp, a multinational mass media company. Murdoch’s media empire includes the Wall Street Journal, among other influential publications.
The Controversial Birthday Card
According to the WSJ article, Trump allegedly sent a birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The card reportedly contained a suggestive drawing and a reference to shared secrets. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was arrested in 2006 and later died in prison in 2019.
Content of the Card
- The card reportedly featured a suggestive drawing of a nude woman.
- It included text enclosed by the outline of the drawing, with a message like “Feliz cumpleaños – y que cada día sea otro secreto maravilloso” (Happy birthday – and may each day be another wonderful secret), signed by “Donald.”
Trump’s Response and Legal Action
Trump vehemently denied the WSJ report, which Reuters has not verified. He warned Rupert Murdoch, the founder of News Corp, that he plans to sue him and the Wall Street Journal, referring to it as a “pile of garbage.”
Trump’s Statements on Social Media
“I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his newspaper, the WSJ. It will be an interesting experience!!!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Impact on Trump’s Supporters
Some of Trump’s most loyal supporters reacted with anger after the Department of Justice stated this month that there is no evidence supporting long-held conspiracy theories about Epstein’s clients and his prison death.
These supporters, inspired by conservative talk show hosts and podcasters, claim that the federal government is withholding records to protect wealthy and influential individuals connected to Epstein.
Government’s Stance on Epstein-Related Cases
The Trump administration filed a motion in a federal court in Manhattan to release grand jury transcripts related to the Epstein case.
The Department of Justice stated that the criminal cases against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell are of public interest, justifying the release of grand jury transcripts.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Donald Trump suing? Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, and two Wall Street Journal reporters.
- What is the lawsuit about? A controversial birthday card Trump allegedly sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
- What did the card contain? A suggestive drawing and a reference to shared secrets.
- How have Trump’s supporters reacted? Some supporters have expressed anger, believing that the government is hiding information about Epstein’s associates.
- What is the government’s position on Epstein-related cases? The Department of Justice believes that the criminal cases against Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are of public interest, justifying the release of grand jury transcripts.
