The RecordExhibit 35
Suing the Wall Street Journal over an Epstein birthday letter
Pending means: In court or under criminal investigation right now.
After the Journal reported that a 2003 birthday note bearing Trump's name and a sketch of a naked woman was in an album made for Epstein's 50th birthday, Trump sued the paper and Rupert Murdoch.
What happened
Trump said he had personally warned Murdoch not to print the story. The note was among dozens collected by Ghislaine Maxwell. Congress later released the letter after subpoenaing it from Epstein's estate.
Where it stands
Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed the suit in April 2026, finding Trump hadn't plausibly alleged actual malice, the legal standard public figures must meet; he did not decide whether the letter is genuine. Trump refiled in May, again seeking at least $10 billion, and the case is pending.
The administration's side
Trump says the letter is fake, that he doesn't draw pictures, and that the words aren't his. His amended complaint says the paper recklessly disregarded whether its story was true.
Sources
Permanent link: https://unredactedrecord.com/e/wsj/