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Lawyers for President Trump are demanding a swift deposition of Rupert Murdoch in the president’s $10 billion libel lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal. In a filing submitted Monday to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the legal team cited the 94‑year‑old Murdoch’s frailty and past medical complications. Trump’s counsel argues that the media magnate may not be medically fit to testify in person at trial, making an early deposition both urgent and necessary.
An Urgent Request Grounded in Rupert Murdoch’s Age
Murdoch, the founder of News Corp and long‑time force behind Fox News and The Journal, is being sued over a New York Times article that ties the President to notorious sex‑trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The July 17 piece included details of a sexually charged birthday note allegedly written by Trump in 2003. The note, framed inside a hand‑drawn silhouette of a naked woman, appeared to include a third‑person dialogue with Epstein. Trump flatly denied authoring the letter or the illustration, and called the report fabricated and defamatory.
The filing describes Murdoch’s past medical incidents, including hospitalizations for pneumonia, a broken back, and a fainting spell in 2023. According to the motion, these conditions make it unlikely he could safely appear at trial. Trump’s lawyers argue that a video deposition within the next two weeks is necessary to preserve testimony. They also assert that Murdoch, as News Corp’s controlling shareholder, has immediate access to communications and documents linked to the article’s publication.
The judge overseeing the case has ordered Murdoch to respond to the deposition request by August 4.
Rupert Murdoch’s Legacy Under the Spotlight
Rupert Murdoch’s name is synonymous with conservative media power. He turned Fox News into a dominant force on the right, shaping Republican talking points and public perception. But his relationship with Trump has always been transactional rather than loyal. During the 2016 election, Murdoch hesitated to back Trump until it became clear that Trump was winning over the Republican base. After the January 6 Capitol riot, Murdoch privately told executives he wanted to “make Trump a nonperson.”
The Journal, though owned by Murdoch, maintains greater editorial independence than Fox News. It has criticized Trump’s trade policies and, in this case, published a report the Trump team viewed as defamatory. In suing Murdoch, Trump is targeting both a long‑time media partner and the wider News Corp empire.
From Media Ally to Courtroom Opponent
Trump’s attorneys are not only seeking Murdoch’s deposition but also those of News Corp CEO Robert Thomson and the two Journal reporters who authored the Epstein article. They argue that Murdoch likely had oversight or involvement in the decision to publish. Dow Jones, the publisher of The Journal, is standing by the story. In a statement, the company said it had confidence in its reporting and planned to fight the lawsuit in court.
Trump, meanwhile, has claimed without additional evidence that former Attorney General Merrick Garland or ex‑FBI Director James Comey planted his name in the Epstein files. His allies believe the Journal’s report was part of a coordinated attempt to damage him politically ahead of the election.
A Strained and Shifting Alliance
Despite Fox News’ historical role in propping up Trump’s image, the Epstein case highlights a deepening rift. Murdoch has reportedly become more cautious about shielding Trump from criticism, especially as legal exposure and reputational risks increase. The Guardian and other outlets have noted that Murdoch appears willing to defend press freedom in this instance, even if it means antagonizing a once‑political ally.
The case now pits two of the most powerful figures in American politics and media against each other. One is a sitting president with a litigious streak. The other is an aging mogul known for controlling the narrative. What remains to be seen is whether the court will prioritize Murdoch’s age over the traditional pace of litigation.
Do you think Rupert Murdoch should be deposed early due to his age, or should the court treat him like any other litigant? Tell us what you think.
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