President Trump is suing the Wall Street Journal for $20 billion in damages. The paper reported that he sent a risqué birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. Willie James Inman has the latest.

Washington

Donald Trump has initiated a $20 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal following a report that linked him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Journal reported that Trump sent Epstein a risque birthday letter, allegedly including a sketch of a nude woman, which Trump disputes.

The lawsuit also names the reporters involved and Rupert Murdoch, owner of News Corp., which publishes the Journal. This legal action comes amid renewed demands from some Trump supporters for the release of additional documents from the Epstein case, with Attorney General Pam Bondi recently requesting the public release of grand jury testimony at Trump's urging. A federal judge's decision on unsealing the testimony could take months.

Trump sues over Wall Street Journal report linking him to Jeffrey Epstein

There is no end to the controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein files. Today, President Trump lashed out at those who have demanded transparency, calling them quote, troublemakers. CBS's Willie James Inman is at the White House with the latest. Willie James, good evening. Nancy, good evening to you. The president is on the attack, fighting back against allegations in a Wall Street Journal report linking him to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The president is suing the Journal for $20 billion in damages. The paper reporting he sent a risque birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. The paper claims the letter was signed by Trump and included a sketch of a nude woman. In 2019, Epstein committed suicide while in jail, awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors. The defamation lawsuit targets the reporters who wrote the story and Rupert Murdoch, the owner of News Corp., which publishes the Journal. Murdoch also founded conservative Fox News Channel and has long supported Trump's political career. I have great respect for Rupert Murdoch. The new allegation against Trump comes as some members of his political base are demanding more documents be released from the Epstein case, believing a government cover-up has shielded some of the nation's wealthiest and most powerful people. This week, Attorney General Pam Bondi requested grand jury testimony be made public at the president's urging. I call it the Epstein hoax. On Saturday, Trump posted, Even if the court gave its full and unwavering approval, nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request. What do you want to see exactly? Probably exposure to other people, especially higher-ups, politicians. I don't think there's any reason not to release it. The president did call for that, so why don't we have it? Nancy, it could take months before a federal judge makes a decision on whether or not to unseal the grand jury testimony. Willie James, thank you.

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