Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) publicly criticized The Wall Street Journal and CNN this week for what he described as the promotion of an unsubstantiated story involving President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.
The controversy stems from a recent article published by The Wall Street Journal, which alleged that President Trump had submitted a birthday message for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003.
The article referenced a supposed note allegedly authored by Trump but did not publish a copy of the card or provide any direct evidence verifying its existence.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
Sen. Moreno took aim at the publication’s lack of transparency, noting that the White House had requested a copy of the birthday message from The Wall Street Journal following the article’s release.
According to Moreno, the outlet admitted it could not provide the original card and had no possession of it, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the story.
Appearing on CNN, Moreno addressed host Kaitlan Collins directly, criticizing the network’s decision to highlight the report during its broadcast.
“You spent half of your show already talking about a fake story that The Wall Street Journal published. This isn’t what journalism is intended to be,” Moreno said.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Moreno, a first-term senator from Ohio, argued that media coverage surrounding the alleged birthday card was designed to distract from recent legislative and policy victories.
He pointed to what he described as key national achievements under President Trump’s current administration, including lower inflation, declining gas prices, increased global stability, and a secure U.S. border.
The senator also cited a recent bill passed by Congress that includes provisions to cut taxes, remove ineligible noncitizens from Medicaid programs, and fund enforcement priorities aligned with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Moreno said the focus on the unverified story detracted from issues of national importance and undermined the role of responsible journalism.
“This isn’t what journalism is intended to be,” he repeated, asserting that the story lacked merit and served as a politically motivated distraction.
WATCH: Senator @berniemoreno absolutely torches the con job from WSJ.
“This story is a tabloid sensation…You spent half of your show already talking about a fake story that the Wall Street Journal published. This isn’t what journalism is intended to be.” pic.twitter.com/c8tA5Tnvse
— Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) July 18, 2025
The Wall Street Journal has not issued a correction or clarification on the article.
The publication has also not produced any original documentation verifying the content or authorship of the birthday card referenced in the report.
The renewed media attention surrounding Trump and Epstein comes as scrutiny of political narratives tied to the president continues, particularly in the wake of earlier claims—such as the discredited Russia collusion allegations—that were heavily circulated in major media outlets prior to being challenged by official investigations.
Sen. Moreno has positioned himself as a vocal critic of what he calls politically motivated reporting and continues to align closely with President Trump’s administration and its policy priorities.
His remarks follow a growing chorus of Republican officials calling for greater media accountability regarding anonymous or unverified claims involving public figures.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
