In a bold move, President Donald Trump has requested that a US court expedite a deposition of Rupert Murdoch, the influential media tycoon, as part of his $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. Trump’s lawsuit stems from a controversial article published by the Journal, which suggested that he penned an inappropriate letter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Epstein's birthday in 2003.
Trump Pushes for Immediate Testimony from Rupert Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit
Trump Pushes for Immediate Testimony from Rupert Murdoch in Epstein Lawsuit
Trump's legal team argues for a rapid deposition of Murdoch, citing concerns over his age and health in ongoing litigation.
In court documents filed Monday, Trump's attorneys expressed urgency in obtaining Murdoch's testimony, emphasizing the media magnate’s advanced age of 94 and alleged recent health issues. They contend that these factors could impede Murdoch's ability to appear in person during a potential trial. Trump's legal representatives stated, "Taken together, these factors weigh heavily in determining that Murdoch would be unavailable for in-person testimony at trial."
The lawsuit alleges that the Journal's article aimed to tarnish Trump's reputation, claiming it misrepresented a letter he had previously informed Murdoch was "fake." The publication has stood firm in its defense and is prepared to contest Trump's claims vigorously. US District Judge Darrin Gayles has set a deadline for Murdoch to respond to the deposition request by August 4.
The contentious article claimed that Trump’s letter, allegedly adorned with a crude illustration, included jokes about aging and concluded with a light-hearted birthday wish for Epstein. After the article's publication on July 17, Trump publicly denied authoring the letter, stating, “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures.” This controversy comes as scrutiny intensifies around Trump’s past association with Epstein, a relationship reportedly strained after 2004, years before Epstein faced significant legal troubles.
Furthermore, Trump has suggested that his inclusion in documents related to Epstein could be politically motivated, alleging that former high-ranking officials, including ex-Attorney General Merrick Garland and ex-FBI director James Comey, may have manipulated the situation against him. No evidence was presented to substantiate these claims, and representatives from Garland and Comey have yet to respond.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications of Trump's lawsuit extend beyond personal reputation, delving into the intertwined narratives of media influence and political maneuvering in current American discourse.
The lawsuit alleges that the Journal's article aimed to tarnish Trump's reputation, claiming it misrepresented a letter he had previously informed Murdoch was "fake." The publication has stood firm in its defense and is prepared to contest Trump's claims vigorously. US District Judge Darrin Gayles has set a deadline for Murdoch to respond to the deposition request by August 4.
The contentious article claimed that Trump’s letter, allegedly adorned with a crude illustration, included jokes about aging and concluded with a light-hearted birthday wish for Epstein. After the article's publication on July 17, Trump publicly denied authoring the letter, stating, “These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures.” This controversy comes as scrutiny intensifies around Trump’s past association with Epstein, a relationship reportedly strained after 2004, years before Epstein faced significant legal troubles.
Furthermore, Trump has suggested that his inclusion in documents related to Epstein could be politically motivated, alleging that former high-ranking officials, including ex-Attorney General Merrick Garland and ex-FBI director James Comey, may have manipulated the situation against him. No evidence was presented to substantiate these claims, and representatives from Garland and Comey have yet to respond.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications of Trump's lawsuit extend beyond personal reputation, delving into the intertwined narratives of media influence and political maneuvering in current American discourse.
