President Trump announced that he is suing the publisher and owner of the Wall Street Journal, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and others in a $10 billion libel lawsuit.

Washington

President Trump has filed a $10 billion libel lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, its owner Rupert Murdoch, and others. The legal action follows a report by the Journal alleging Trump sent a suggestive birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, which Trump strongly denies, calling the letter fake and defamatory. Trump stated he warned the publication and Murdoch not to proceed with the story and is pursuing the lawsuit on behalf of himself and what he describes as all Americans affected by 'fake news.'

Meanwhile, the Justice Department has filed a motion to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Epstein, pending approval from a federal judge. The department argues there is significant public interest in the case, but the process could take time to ensure the protection of victims' identities.

Trump sues WSJ publisher, Rupert Murdoch over Epstein letter story

We are following breaking news right now out of Washington. President Trump just announced that he is suing the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, its owner, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and others. The president taking legal action with a $10 billion libel lawsuit that's happening just less than 24 hours after the journal published an explosive report. Now that article claims that Trump wrote convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein a, quote, body birthday note back in 2003. That note allegedly contained a sketch appearing to be the outline of a naked woman and the message, quote, may every day be another wonderful secret. Let's bring in CBS News reporter Erica Brown live for us on Capitol Hill. Erica, what else is President Trump saying about this article? Well, Elizabeth, the president has slammed this Wall Street Journal report. Now he has previously distanced himself from Jeffrey Epstein, denying ever having any close personal ties to him. But he said about this Wall Street Journal letter that it is fake, it is malicious, and it is defamatory. He says those are not his words and it's not the way that he speaks. The president also said in a social media post that he had warned both the paper and Rupert Murdoch, its owner, directly that if they were to move forward with publishing that letter, that he would file suit. And as you noted there, the breaking news just this hour, the president announcing that he has filed suit against everyone involved in publishing this report. That includes the paper and its corporate owners. He also says that he is filing this suit not only on behalf of himself, but on behalf of all Americans who he says will no longer tolerate the wrongdoings of the, quote, fake news media. And Erica, all of this is coming as the Justice Department just filed a motion to unseal the Epstein grand jury records. So what can we expect from that? That's right, Elizabeth. The Justice Department just this afternoon filing that motion to unseal a grand jury transcripts. And so at this point it is awaiting approval from a federal judge. They filed this in Manhattan federal court in order for these transcripts to be released. A federal judge has to approve that. But the Justice Department is going to have to prove the significance of this request and that it outweighs the secrecy surrounding the grand jury process. Now so far, the Justice Department has said that this is a special circumstance with high public interest, but they will have to convince the judge that again, it outweighs the secrecy surrounding the grand jury process and the process itself could take time in terms of releasing these documents because they want to review materials. If it is approved, review the materials to make sure that the victims are protected. Elizabeth Erica Brown live for us on Capitol Hill. Thanks so much, Erica.

The U.S. ambassador to Turkey, who also serves as the special envoy for Syria, has just announced a new ceasefire deal between Israel and Syria. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports.

Damascus

Israel, Syria reach ceasefire agreement, U.S. Envoy announces

Ukraine has appointed a new prime minister, 39-year-old Yulia Svyrydenko, as part of a sweeping government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy. This marks the most significant political shift since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Yulia Svyrydenko takes charge as Ukraine's new prime minister

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, currently on trial at the Supreme Court, has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. Bolsonaro is accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election.

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor

At least three deputies were killed after an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility, officials said. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents were at the scene.

Los Angeles

Three killed in explosion at L.A. County Sheriff's Department facility

The UK's Labour Party has passed a landmark electoral reform, aligning with Scotland and Wales in lowering the voting age from 18 to 16. The change fulfills a key promise by the ruling party but garnered criticism from the Conservative Party.

London

UK lowers voting age from 18 to 16 in historic electoral reform

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a rescissions package to slash $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, sending the bill to President Donald Trump's desk.

U.S. House passes $9 billion cut to foreign aid, public broadcasting

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday night ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to help facilitate the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein as the administration faces pressure to share more materials on the case.

Trump orders release of Epstein-related grand jury transcripts

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy and financial sectors in a bid to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and force a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moscow

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks

U.S. President Donald Trump denies writing a letter signed 'Donald' beneath a nude sketch in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album, details of which were published by the Wall Street Journal. The letter is now under review by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump denies writing crude letter to Jeffrey Epstein

Following a call with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology, saying the only Catholic church in Gaza was hit by stray ammunition. The blast killed three civilians. Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu apologizes for deadly strike on Catholic church in Gaza

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that TSA may soon end its restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA may eliminate liquid restrictions on planes

A Tennessee judge on Thursday set Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 27, 2026. Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.

Tennessee

Judge sets Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

Black-box recording indicates that the flight's captain switched off fuel flow to both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane, according to media reports on Wednesday, citing preliminary U.S. assessment of evidence.

Ahmedabad

Flight captain switched off fuel flow to engines in Air India crash

The Department of Justice has fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor and the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey. This comes as the White House tries to mitigate demands for the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released.

DOJ fires Maurene Comey, who helped prosecute Jeffrey Epstein

The Senate approved a $9.4 billion rescissions request, sending it back to the House of Representatives for approval.

Senate approves spending cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting

Israel has faced international condemnation over its three days of airstrikes in Syria. The European Union and the United Nations have called for a return to calm, while Iran has urged countries in the region to respond against Israel.

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syria’s Damascus

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first state visit to the United Kingdom to sign a historic defence cooperation treaty—the first of its kind between Germany and Britain since the Second World War. The agreement includes plans for joint defence efforts, boosting economic collaboration, and tackling illegal migration.

Germany and UK seal historic defence pact

Donald Trump says American-made weapons bought by NATO are being shipped to Ukraine. Trump's also threatening sanctions, saying his aim is to force Putin to negotiate an end to the war. But with Ukraine under nightly attack, there’s scepticism over whether he'll achieve anything.

U.S. ships NATO purchased Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Syria condemns Israel for fatal strikes on several government buildings in Damascus. The escalation threatens to disrupt new U.S.-brokered security talks between Israel and Syria, with both sides expressing concerns over stability in the region.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria threaten security talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

Mexico plans to strengthen trade with Canada

Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle’s podcast

Israel struck Syrian military targets as well as central Damascus on Wednesday (July 16) as it continued its campaign to protect Druze minority communities in southern Syria.

Israel strikes Damascus as fighting rages in southern Syria

U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee's appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial follows President Trump's call for Israel to throw out the case or pardon the Israeli prime minister.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. ambassador attends Netanyahu trial to show support from Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were in the works as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners.

Trump eyes more trade deals soon as EU readies retaliation

At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday (July 16) at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators. This video contains graphic images.

Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames agitators

Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in the double homicide of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. The couple, both 70 years old, was found shot to death in their home earlier this week.

Encino

Police make arrest in murders of American Idol executive, husband

Streaming shows dominated nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards. "Severance" earned the most series nominations with 27. Meanwhile, "The Studio" earned the most-ever nominations for a debut comedy series with 23.

Breakdown