As the saga of Trump’s alleged connection to Jeffrey Epstein unfolds, the ex-president pushes for quick testimony from Rupert Murdoch due to the tycoon’s age and health status.
**Trump Moves to Secure Fast-Testimony from Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit**
**Trump Moves to Secure Fast-Testimony from Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit**
In a high-stakes legal maneuver, Trump’s team seeks expedited deposition from media mogul amid health concerns.
In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump's legal team has requested that Rupert Murdoch, the influential media magnate, provide a swift deposition in relation to Trump's ongoing lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. This lawsuit, which is anchored by a controversial article claiming Trump authored a dubious birthday letter for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, has escalated significantly, prompting Trump's lawyers to act quickly because of Murdoch's advanced age and health concerns.
During a recent court filing, Trump's legal representatives underscored Murdoch's 94 years of age, emphasizing that he has been experiencing "recent significant health scares." They argued the urgency of the request, stating that Murdoch’s declining health might hinder his availability for in-person testimony at the upcoming trial. The pressing nature of the deposition request has been submitted to the U.S. District Court in Miami, where Judge Darrin Gayles is overseeing the case.
The lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal is based on allegations that the publication sought to tarnish Trump’s reputation through the dissemination of false information. The article in question, published on July 17, stated that Trump had crafted a "bawdy" letter celebrating Epstein, who had a controversial past with the president. Trump's lawyers countered this claim, arguing that he had notified Murdoch prior to publication that the letter was fabricated.
The Wall Street Journal has firmly defended its reporting, as the publisher, Dow Jones, prepares to uphold its stance in court. The letter reportedly featured humorous references, including a stylized cartoon and playful text, which Trump vigorously denied composing. Despite this, the publication intensified public scrutiny on Trump, particularly amid allegations regarding his past associations with Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
As this legal battle intensifies, Trump and his team have not shied away from implicating former officials, recently suggesting that his name may have been included in Justice Department records tied to Epstein’s case as part of a conspiracy led by ex-Attorney General Merrick Garland or former FBI director James Comey. Both officials have yet to respond to Trump’s uninformed claims.
The court awaits Murdoch’s response to the deposition request, with a deadline set for August 4. The outcome of this case could have profound implications for both Trump’s political narrative and the credibility of major news organizations in reporting high-profile incidents.
