In a dramatic escalation of tensions between former President Donald Trump and the media, Vice President JD Vance has launched a fierce attack on The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) following its recent report alleging Trump’s involvement in a sexually suggestive message for Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday tribute book. Vance’s criticism, delivered via a fiery post on X on July 25, 2025, accused the WSJ of publishing a "hit piece" without providing any credible evidence to support its claims.
Vance expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, stating, "I have no idea if the book exists—WSJ won’t show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists—WSJ won’t show it to us." He called the situation "disgraceful," emphasizing that this opacity was a key reason behind President Trump’s decision to file a lawsuit against the publication. Vance further condemned the WSJ for what he described as an "absurd" attack on the President without revealing the basis for the allegations, which included claims that Trump wrote poems to Epstein. He warned that the media would "dribble little details out for days or weeks in an effort to assassinate the president’s character," accusing the WSJ of acting like a "Democrat SuperPAC" by pushing a partisan narrative.
The controversy stems from a Wall Street Journal report published between July 14 and 20, 2025, which alleged that Trump had signed a crude drawing in a birthday book compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking minors. According to the WSJ, Trump’s contribution featured the outline of a naked woman with his signature below her waist, captioned, "May every day be another wonderful secret." Trump vehemently denied the allegation on his social media platform, Truth Social, labeling the letter a "FAKE." The White House dismissed the claims as politically motivated, with spokesperson Steven Cheung calling it "nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media."
The report also reignited scrutiny of Trump’s previous connections to Epstein, highlighting a 1997 inscription in Trump’s book The Art of the Comeback that read, "To Jeff- You are the greatest!" Additionally, The New York Times reviewed a previously unreleased photo showing Trump, Epstein, and singer James Brown together, further fueling public interest in their past ties.
In response to the WSJ article, Trump filed a $10 billion libel and slander lawsuit against Dow Jones, News Corp, two Wall Street Journal reporters, and the paper’s owner Rupert Murdoch. Announcing the legal action on Truth Social, Trump called it a "POWERHOUSE Lawsuit" targeting "everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS ‘article’ in the useless ‘rag’ that is, The Wall Street Journal." The lawsuit was filed in the federal court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami, though the full complaint has not yet been made public.
Rupert Murdoch, who stepped down as chairman of Fox and News Corporation in September 2023 to become "chairman emeritus," has seen his succession by his son Lachlan come under new scrutiny amid this high-profile lawsuit. Murdoch’s decades-long influence over American media and his previous alliance with Trump make the legal battle particularly noteworthy, highlighting a rare public rift between two powerful figures.
The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have claimed to have reviewed parts of the birthday book and Maxwell’s introductory letter, but neither publication has released full images of the materials in question. This lack of public evidence has been a focal point of criticism from Trump’s allies, who argue that the media is withholding proof to unfairly damage the former president’s reputation.
Meanwhile, pressure to release the sealed Epstein-related documents continues to mount. A key House committee voted between July 21 and 27, 2025, to subpoena files from the Justice Department. Representative Ro Khanna has also indicated plans to subpoena Epstein’s estate for the original birthday book. Epstein’s estate has stated it will comply with all lawful processes.
Ghislaine Maxwell remains central to the unfolding saga. She reportedly wrote the book’s introductory letter and met with a Justice Department official during the same week the subpoenas were issued. Maxwell’s incarceration for crimes related to Epstein’s child trafficking only adds a layer of gravity to the ongoing investigations.
Trump’s lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of legal actions targeting media outlets he perceives as hostile. Since his first term, Trump has repeatedly labeled mainstream media as "fake news" and "the enemy of the American people." In his second term, he has used the courts to silence critics, filing lawsuits against major outlets such as CBS and ABC, both of which settled for millions. He has also pursued legal action against tech giants like Meta and X (formerly Twitter).
Beyond lawsuits, Trump has actively punished media organizations by restricting their access. For example, he barred The Wall Street Journal from the press pool during a trip to Scotland, asserting control over who covers his activities. Similarly, he restricted the Associated Press from covering certain Oval Office events after they refused to adopt his preferred terminology for the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump’s efforts to control the media extend to regulatory arenas as well. Brendan Carr, the Federal Communications Commission chairman elevated by Trump, has opened formal inquiries into every major network except Fox Broadcast Network, owned by Murdoch. Public broadcasters like PBS and NPR are currently under FCC investigation, with Trump seeking to assert control over the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Experts suggest that Trump’s legal and regulatory maneuvers aim to discredit unfavorable reporting and warn other media outlets against critical coverage. By challenging even conservative-leaning media figures such as Murdoch, Trump signals that no one is immune from his efforts to mold public narratives.
As the lawsuit progresses, questions remain about the evidence behind the WSJ’s report. Media analysts note that the Journal has a long-standing reputation for rigorous fact-checking and legal scrutiny, making it unlikely they would publish such a story without confidence in its accuracy. However, the absence of public images of the alleged letter and doodle leaves the story shrouded in mystery, fueling skepticism on all sides.
The unfolding legal battle between Trump and The Wall Street Journal encapsulates a broader conflict over media trust, political power, and the limits of free expression in contemporary America. With subpoenas, lawsuits, and public accusations flying, the story is far from over, and both the media and political landscapes await further revelations.
