- Trump’s Epstein Letter Sparks Lawsuit
- Fox News Faces Silence Backlash
- Trump calls for release of grand jury testimony in Epstein
By Grateful Ogunjebe
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a libel lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal after the paper published an alleged birthday letter he wrote to Jeffrey Epstein.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the controversial letter, reportedly sent in 2003, sparked a political media storm when WSJ released the story on Thursday night, accusing Trump of sending a “bawdy” card to the late sex offender.
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On Friday, Trump had filed a lawsuit against Murdoch, News Corp, and Dow Jones, accusing them of defamation and intent to damage his reputation as he prepares for another potential White House run.
Despite the firestorm, Fox News, also owned by Murdoch, has remained notably silent on the scandal. A transcript review revealed the story has only been vaguely referenced once on-air since publication.
In that isolated mention, the Fox News host teased a segment on the Trump-Epstein report but failed to follow through a move critics say was intentional censorship to protect Trump or Murdoch.
The lack of coverage has enraged both MAGA supporters and media watchdogs, fuelling speculation that the conservative news giant is torn between its loyalty to Trump and its billionaire owner.
Commentators on The Independent noted the internal conflict: “The Fox News personalities now have to decide on who to support the man who gives them their audience or the man who signs their cheques.”
Social media also lit up in response. One user dubbed Fox News the “brown shirt of the day,” while another said, “Sounds like a lose-lose. Couldn’t be happier for them.”
Conservative figure Riley Gaines wrote: “Sue them into oblivion,” echoing calls for Murdoch and his empire to face legal and reputational consequences.
Trump, on his Truth Social platform, expressed confidence in the legal battle, stating: “I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit… That will be an interesting experience!!!”
He also reportedly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to release “pertinent” grand jury testimony in the Epstein case, seeking to distance himself from deeper implications.
Meanwhile, search engine data shows a spike in public curiosity. According to The Daily Beast, Trump’s interest percentile rose to 22nd–26th, while Epstein’s climbed to 23rd.
The New Republic estimates Trump’s die-hard supporter base still holds strong at 30–35% of the U.S. population, despite the controversy.
Media outlets like Raw Story and Daily Mail have since added fuel to the fire, publishing articles on the letter’s exact content and Fox’s awkward silence.
Political analysts say the incident could escalate into a broader media war, reshaping dynamics within conservative outlets and public trust in their coverage.
As Trump doubles down with lawsuits and media pressure, questions remain over what else might surface and why some outlets appear too afraid to speak.
