Trump Sues Wall Street Journal After Disney, CBS, and Meta Settlements
U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch, The Wall Street Journal, and its reporters over claims that he wrote a 2003 birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein containing a nude sketch. Trump denies the story and is demanding $10–20 billion in damages. This legal action follows several other high-profile media confrontations, including settlements with Disney/ABC, Meta, and Paramount/CBS. Notably, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was abruptly canceled days after Colbert slammed CBS’s $16 million Trump settlement, fueling concerns over free press retaliation. Legal analysts say Trump’s legal crusade is reshaping media accountability and editorial risk across the U.S.
Ama Boah
President Donald Trump has filed a monumental defamation suit seeking at least $10 billion per count (potentially $20 billion total) against Rupert Murdoch, Dow Jones & Co., News Corp, and Wall Street Journal reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joseph Palazzolo.
The suit centers on a July 17 Wall Street Journal story alleging Trump penned a suggestive 2003 birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein that included a nude drawing. Trump vehemently denies writing it calling the story “fake” and “false” and has vowed to make Murdoch testify in court.
Filed in the Southern District of Florida, the lawsuit accuses the defendants of reckless disregard for the truth, a critical element of defamation law for public figures. Legal analysts caution Trump may face significant procedural hurdles under Florida’s five‑day notice requirement and the “actual malice” standard meaning he must prove WSJ knew the story was false or showed reckless disregard.
In tandem with the lawsuit, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of Epstein‑related grand jury documents, claiming a need to clear his name.
Retaliatory Move: WSJ Reporter Booted From Presidential Press Pool
As tensions mount, Trump has also barred the Wall Street Journal regardless of reporter from joining his press pool on an upcoming Scotland trip. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, citing the WSJ’s “fake and defamatory conduct”. White House Correspondents’ Association chair Weijia Jiang condemned the move as a “deeply troubling… retaliation,” warning it threatens First Amendment values.
Disney’s $15M Settlement: A Precedent in Trump’s Legal Playbook
This lawsuit follows a series of high‑profile legal outcomes involving Trump and major media companies. In December 2024, Disney’s ABC News settled Trump’s defamation lawsuit over comments by anchor George Stephanopoulos, paying $15 million in donations to Trump’s presidential library and $1 million in legal fees. That settlement may have emboldened Trump, as similar suits like Facebook’s Meta ($22 million) and Paramount/CBS ($16 million) were resolved shortly after.
Late-Night Fallout: Colbert Show Cancelled Amid Settlement Fallout
In what many view as a chilling consequence of Trump’s legal influence, CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” was abruptly cancelled in mid‑July even though it was the network’s top‑rated late‑night program. The timing, just days after Colbert lambasted CBS/Paramount for paying Trump $16 million to settle a defamation suit over a 60 Minutes interview fueled speculation that the cancellation was politically influenced.
Colbert, returning in his final broadcast, declared “the gloves are off,” telling Trump directly, “go f*** yourself.” He vowed to continue delivering “unvarnished truth to power.” Fellow comics Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers showed solidarity, some appearing in his audience. Stewart accused CBS of demonstrating “fear and pre‑compliance” in response to Trump’s influence.
Trump’s Growing Legal Campaign Against Media Outlets
This new lawsuit is the most aggressive in Trump’s recent wave of media litigation:
|
Defendant |
Allegation |
Outcome |
|
ABC News/Disney |
Stephanopoulos mischaracterized the E. Jean Carroll case |
$15M settlement |
|
Paramount/CBS |
Editing of a 60 Minutes interview |
$16M settlement |
|
Meta (Facebook/Instagram) |
Suspension of Trump’s accounts |
$22M settlement |
|
WSJ/Murdoch |
Alleged fake Epstein letter |
$10–20B lawsuit filed |
Legal experts suggest Trump is deploying lawsuits not just to defend reputation, but also to pressure media outlets into avoiding coverage that could trigger costly legal confrontations.
What’s Next?
-
WSJ prepared for battle: Dow Jones says it will vigorously defend its reporting.
-
Courtroom showdown ahead: Trump faces a tough burden to prove “actual malice” , a high bar in defamation cases involving public figures.
-
Media’s growing apprehension: Observers warn Trump’s strategy may stifle investigative reporting, forcing outlets to tread carefully to avoid legal entanglements.
Bottom Line
Trump is intensifying his confrontation with the media, suing a Wall Street Journal powerhouse story for defamation while celebrating victories like the Disney and CBS settlements. His lawsuit has already impacted WSJ’s white‑house access and could reshape how media outlets cover powerful figures in the future even late-night satire isn’t immune.
Source:
Business Insider/ The Wall Street Journal/ El Pais/ The Guardian/ Reuters/ Wikipedia
