Trump sues Wall Street Journal's publisher and 2 reporters over Epstein article
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Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Alleged Epstein Letter
Above: Donald Trump, Secretary of Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick (C) and Rupert Murdoch in the White House on Feb. 3, 2025. Image copyright: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This legal action aims to hold the Fake News Media that have abandoned journalistic standards accountable. The Wall Street Journal published a story based on an alleged letter they never even showed to Trump's team beforehand, violating basic journalistic ethics. The timing of this hit piece, coming amid Trump's efforts to bring transparency to the Epstein case, reeks of coordinated character assassination.
Establishment-critical narrative
Trump's lawsuit is another attempt to intimidate the press and deflect attention from legitimate questions about his previous ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Proving "actual malice" against a respected outlet like the WSJ — known for rigorous reporting standards — will be extremely difficult. His frequent lawsuits against media outlets whenever negative stories emerge threaten First Amendment protections.