Trump seeks a rapid deposition from media mogul Rupert Murdoch, citing his age and health to bolster a high-profile lawsuit over allegations in a Wall Street Journal article.
Trump Pushes for Quick Testimony from Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit
Trump Pushes for Quick Testimony from Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit
Rupert Murdoch’s Health Concerns Prompt Trump's Urgent Deposition Request
In a significant legal maneuver, President Donald Trump is urging a US court to expedite the deposition of Rupert Murdoch, founder of News Corp, in a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. The lawsuit revolves around a controversial article claiming Trump wrote a "bawdy" letter for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's birthday in 2003.
On Monday, Trump’s legal team filed a motion asserting that Murdoch, now 94 years old and reportedly facing health issues, should be questioned within 15 days. The lawyers emphasized the urgency, arguing that Murdoch’s age and health conditions may compromise his ability to provide in-person testimony later. They articulated these concerns in a Miami federal court filing, which culminated in a request for Murdoch to address Trump's deposition demand by August 4.
The ongoing lawsuit, which amounts to $10 billion, accuses the Wall Street Journal of attempting to tarnish Trump’s reputation. The Journal has maintained its stance and pledged to defend the article, which accused Trump of composing a letter featuring a "typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman," purportedly in jest about aging and friendship with Epstein.
In the wake of the July 17 publication, Trump vehemently denied authorship of the letter, claiming it didn’t reflect his style or language. This report surfaced amidst increasing pressures on the Trump administration to provide clarity regarding his connections to Epstein, a known figure in sex trafficking scandals who died in 2019 while in custody.
Trump and Epstein’s previously public friendship had deteriorated by 2004, before Epstein faced criminal charges. Following this lawsuit, Trump speculated to reporters that his name might have been included in Epstein-related documents due to actions by former Attorney General Merrick Garland or ex-FBI Director James Comey, although he offered no proof for these allegations.
As the case progresses, legal experts and media observers will be monitoring the potential implications of Murdoch's testimony and the broader narrative surrounding Trump's complicated ties to Epstein.
On Monday, Trump’s legal team filed a motion asserting that Murdoch, now 94 years old and reportedly facing health issues, should be questioned within 15 days. The lawyers emphasized the urgency, arguing that Murdoch’s age and health conditions may compromise his ability to provide in-person testimony later. They articulated these concerns in a Miami federal court filing, which culminated in a request for Murdoch to address Trump's deposition demand by August 4.
The ongoing lawsuit, which amounts to $10 billion, accuses the Wall Street Journal of attempting to tarnish Trump’s reputation. The Journal has maintained its stance and pledged to defend the article, which accused Trump of composing a letter featuring a "typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman," purportedly in jest about aging and friendship with Epstein.
In the wake of the July 17 publication, Trump vehemently denied authorship of the letter, claiming it didn’t reflect his style or language. This report surfaced amidst increasing pressures on the Trump administration to provide clarity regarding his connections to Epstein, a known figure in sex trafficking scandals who died in 2019 while in custody.
Trump and Epstein’s previously public friendship had deteriorated by 2004, before Epstein faced criminal charges. Following this lawsuit, Trump speculated to reporters that his name might have been included in Epstein-related documents due to actions by former Attorney General Merrick Garland or ex-FBI Director James Comey, although he offered no proof for these allegations.
As the case progresses, legal experts and media observers will be monitoring the potential implications of Murdoch's testimony and the broader narrative surrounding Trump's complicated ties to Epstein.
