Trump Under Fire Over Epstein Files, Files Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal
The Trump administration has been engulfed in a fresh crisis as the US President's name has been reported to appear multiple times in the Department of Justice (DoJ) files related to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Various sources, including the Wall Street Journal and the Guardian, report that Trump was informed in May 2025 about his presence in the Epstein files. This revelation has led to increased scrutiny of the Trump administration and its handling of the Epstein case. Amid the controversy, Trump has also filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, accusing them of libel over their report of a lewd birthday letter he allegedly sent to Epstein.
Revelations from the Epstein Files
According to a Wall Street Journal report, as quoted by multiple international news outlets, including La Repubblica, Corriere della Sera, and the Japan Times, the DoJ had warned Trump about his presence in the Epstein files. Citing high-ranking administration officials, the report indicated that Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, had communicated this information to the President.
However, the US President's spokesman denied these claims, as stated in a Guardian report. Simultaneously, the report also mentioned a subpoena by Congress for Ghislaine Maxwell's testimony, Epstein's partner in crime. The Trump administration had recently requested the declassification of the related documents and their transfer to New York.
Legal Entanglements and Actions
In a twist of events, Trump has filed a libel lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch, alleging defamation over the birthday letter report. The suit accuses Murdoch and his media empire of falsely claiming that Trump sent a lewd birthday letter to Epstein in 2003.
Despite these controversies, Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to work on releasing grand jury transcripts related to the Epstein case. This move came amidst widespread criticism of the Trump administration, especially following the release of a DOJ-FBI memo concluding that Epstein had not blackmailed powerful people or kept a client list.
Reactions and Implications
The recent revelations and subsequent actions have intensified the political firestorm surrounding the Trump administration. Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, responded to the report by calling on Ms. Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On the other hand, Trump's decision to sue the Wall Street Journal has resulted in a backlash, with critics accusing him of attempting to divert public attention away from the Epstein scandal. Amid this controversy, Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein's, has been subpoenaed by Congress to testify about the case.
Conclusion
As the Trump administration faces increased scrutiny over its handling of the Epstein files, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact the President's political standing. With the President taking legal action against the Wall Street Journal and Maxwell summoned to testify before Congress, the Epstein case continues to unravel, promising more revelations in the days to come.