**As President Trump pushes for a quick deposition from Rupert Murdoch due to his age and health, the ongoing legal battle reveals complexities in Trump's historical ties to Epstein and implications for media reporting.**
**Trump Seeks Urgent Testimony from Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit**
**Trump Seeks Urgent Testimony from Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit**
**Legal maneuvering follows Wall Street Journal article alleging president wrote inappropriate birthday note to Epstein.**
Lawyers representing President Donald Trump have moved quickly to request a deposition from media magnate Rupert Murdoch, emphasizing the necessity of his testimony in light of his advancing age and recent health issues. The request comes as Trump files a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, which is part of Murdoch's News Corp, over an article that suggested Trump authored a provocative letter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for his birthday in 2003.
The complaint, lodged in Miami federal court, asserts that the letter in question was fake, and Trump maintains that he communicated this to Murdoch prior to the publication of the article. Trump's legal team highlighted Murdoch's 94 years and reports of significant health challenges, arguing that these factors render him potentially unavailable for testimony if the case proceeds to trial.
The lawsuit, which seeks $10 billion in damages, contends that the Wall Street Journal aimed to tarnish Trump's reputation. Dow Jones, the Journal’s publisher, stands firm in its defense of the article, asserting its willingness to contest the allegations brought forth by Trump. US District Judge Darrin Gayles has mandated that Murdoch respond to the motion for deposition by August 4.
The article had stirred controversy in mid-July, detailing a letter reportedly signed by Trump, which included content framed humorously with an outline of a naked woman. Following its release, Trump rejected the attribution, asserting, “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures."
This dispute occurs in the wider context of Trump's known association with Epstein, a relationship that Trump claims soured in 2004, predating Epstein's legal issues. Reports suggest Trump may have been mentioned in DOJ documentation relevant to Epstein’s investigations, leading the president to speculate this might be an intentional act by former officials like Attorney General Merrick Garland and ex-FBI Director James Comey, despite presenting no evidence for such claims.
As the legal situation unfolds, the ramifications of this case could have substantial implications on the media's role in high-profile political narratives and the interconnected histories of powerful figures amid allegations of misconduct.
