President Donald Trump revealed Tuesday that the Wall Street Journal has reached out in an effort to settle his lawsuit against the outlet over its explosive — and, according to Trump, completely fabricated — report alleging he once sent Jeffrey Epstein a bawdy birthday note in 2003.
The Journal claimed that Trump’s alleged letter included a scribbled image of a naked woman with his signature placed near the waist to resemble pubic hair, and a bizarre poem exchange between Trump and Epstein.
While the image was not published, the Journal provided what it claimed was a transcript of the letter. Trump has vehemently denied ever writing or sending such a note, calling it “fake,” “malicious,” and “defamatory.”
Trump: “They Want to Settle It”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed his legal team is in talks with Wall Street Journal representatives.
“They are talking to us about doing something, but we’ll see what happens. Maybe, they would like us to drop that,” Trump said.
“They want to settle it.”
Trump’s Lawsuit: “Overwhelming Harm”
Trump’s lawsuit, filed against the Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Rupert Murdoch personally, alleges “overwhelming financial and reputational harm” caused by the publication of what Trump calls a “false, defamatory story.”
In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump slammed the Journal for ignoring direct warnings that the story was false:
“Mr. Murdoch stated that he would take care of it but, obviously, did not have the power to do so,” Trump wrote.
“Editor Emma Tucker was told directly by Karoline Leavitt, and by me, that the letter was a FAKE. But she didn’t want to hear that.”
Trump: “Desperate Attempt to Stay Relevant”
Trump torched the Journal as a “disgusting and filthy rag” desperate to stay relevant, and claimed the Epstein angle was simply a weaponized smear.
“If there were any truth at all on the Epstein Hoax as it pertains to President Trump, this information would have been revealed by Comey, Brennan, Crooked Hillary, and other Radical Left Lunatics years ago,” he said.
“This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS!”
Trump’s Media Legal Track Record
Trump also pointed to recent legal victories over the media, including actions against:
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CBS News, for deceptively editing a Kamala Harris interview
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ABC News, after George Stephanopoulos falsely referred to Trump as a “rapist”
These outcomes have emboldened Trump to pursue even steeper damages against the Journal, with sources close to the legal team indicating “millions” are being sought.
Background: The Epstein Letter Allegation
According to the Wall Street Journal, the alleged 2003 birthday note included this cryptic dialogue:
Trump: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Epstein: “Enigmas never age…”
Trump: “We have certain things in common.”
The authenticity of the alleged letter has not been independently verified.
