Former President Donald Trump is urging a US court to swiftly arrange for media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's deposition in a case concerning an article by the Wall Street Journal. Trump's lawyers filed the request in Miami federal court, emphasizing Murdoch's advanced age of 94 and recent health issues. The article in question alleged that Trump wrote an inappropriate letter celebrating Jeffrey Epstein's birthday in 2003, which Trump insists is fake.
According to Trump's attorneys, the urgency of the deposition is heightened by Murdoch's condition, suggesting he may not be available for in-person testimony later on. The lawsuit, totaling $10 billion, claims that the Journal misrepresented Trump's character to damage his reputation.
While the Journal's publisher stands behind the reporting, Trump's criticisms focus on the alleged content of the letter, which purportedly featured a humorous yet inappropriate design and an imaginary dialogue between himself and Epstein. After the publication, Trump firmly denied writing the letter, asserting that the words do not reflect his manner of speaking.
As pressure mounts on the Trump administration regarding Epstein's connections, Trump alleges that his name might have been improperly included in related DOJ documents. The outcome of this case could shape public perceptions of both Trump and Murdoch, especially as the legal landscape regarding Epstein continues to evolve.
