Trump Targets Wall Street Journal in Massive Defamation Case
US President Donald Trump has filed a $10bn (£7.5bn) lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal's parent company, Dow Jones, and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, over allegations that he wrote an "indecent" note to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.
The US president claims the publication defamed him and violated libel laws in an article that alleged a birthday card bearing Trump's name was sent to the late financier in 2003, before he was accused of sex crimes, the BBC writes.
Trump said the note, which the newspaper reported he sent for Epstein's 50th birthday, is "fake."
This came as the US Justice Department asked a judge to uncover material related to Epstein, following harsh criticism of the Trump administration's handling of the case.
Trump said on social media: "We have just filed a powerful lawsuit against all those involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory and slanderous article in the worthless "rag" that is The Wall Street Journal. I hope Rupert and his 'friends' are looking forward to the many hours of testimony and statements they will have to give in this case."
He said the newspaper and Murdoch - with whom Trump has had an up-and-down relationship for decades - were warned they would be sued if they published the article.
A Dow Jones spokesperson said in a statement to the BBC: "We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting and will vigorously defend ourselves against any claims."
Murdoch, who was seen attending the FIFA Club World Cup with Trump on Sunday, founded a media empire that some credit with helping to propel the president to the White House.
