The Wall Street Journal came under fire Thursday night after publishing a report that accused President Donald Trump of authoring a sexually explicit birthday message to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
The story, which sparked immediate backlash from conservative readers and Trump supporters, named several high-profile individuals allegedly connected to Epstein through personal correspondence compiled in a leather-bound book.
The Journal’s report claimed Trump submitted a handwritten doodle of a nude woman as part of a birthday card to Epstein, signed only with his first name in a way that allegedly mimicked pubic hair.
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The card reportedly contained a message wishing Epstein a “wonderful secret” every day in the years to come.
JUST IN: The Wall Street Journal releases an alleged letter from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for Epstein’s 50th birthday.
President Trump says the letter “is a fake thing,” and says he is going to sue the outlet.
The letter allegedly involved a hand-drawn woman with text… pic.twitter.com/67onxsnyBp
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 17, 2025
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In addition to Trump, the article mentioned names including Les Wexner, founder of Bath & Body Works, and attorney Alan Dershowitz, who represented Epstein during his 2007 legal proceedings.
The Journal stated that these individuals had also submitted notes or letters to Epstein.
The report provoked swift condemnation, with social media users and public figures pledging to cancel their subscriptions.
Mollie Hemingway, Editor-in-Chief of The Federalist, criticized the publication’s editorial standards, writing, “Just way too much money for that level of quality.”
Just way too much money for that level of quality. pic.twitter.com/r6zlO0sDNF
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) July 18, 2025
Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) issued a statement shortly after the article’s release, announcing his intention to introduce legislation to terminate the House of Representatives’ subscription to the Wall Street Journal.
“Americans shouldn’t be paying for disgusting and filthy rags,” Fine said in a statement posted to X.
I’ll be introducing legislation to end the House of Representatives subscription contract with the WSJ. Americans shouldn’t be paying for disgusting and filthy rags.
I have also directed my entire staff to delete their taxpayer-funded WSJ accounts.
— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) July 18, 2025
Former subscribers echoed the sentiment online, sharing their own cancellation notices.
One user posted, “I regret to inform you that due to your lack of journalistic ethics, extreme bias, and perpetuation of a series of propaganda hoaxes, I have cancelled my decades long subscription, and those for my company and staff.”
Good morning @WSJ
I regret to inform you that due to your lack of journalistic ethics, extreme bias, and perpetuation of a series of propaganda hoaxes, I have cancelled my decades long subscription, and those for my company and staff. pic.twitter.com/WHfwvgRdCN— Jellenne 🇺🇸🌵🌞 (@jellen805) July 18, 2025
Another stated, “Canceling WSJ subscription today. After 35 years. It’s a shadow of what it once was anyhow.”
Canceling WSJ subscription today. After 35 years. It’s a shadow of what it once was anyhow.
— Mr. 🇺🇸USA 1st🇺🇸 (@FKMahoney) July 18, 2025
Media personality Laura Loomer dismissed the story as false, pointing to what she claimed was an inconsistency with how Trump typically communicates.
“It’s totally fake,” Loomer wrote.
“Everyone who actually KNOWS President Trump knows he doesn’t type letters. He writes notes in big black Sharpie.”
I’m calling bullshit on this Trump “birthday letter” to Epstein.
It’s totally fake.
Everyone who actually KNOWS President Trump knows he doesn’t type letters.
He writes notes in big black Sharpie.
Trust me, I would know.
He doesn’t use email and he doesn’t type write.…
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) July 18, 2025
Even Elon Musk weighed in with skepticism. Replying to a user on X, Musk wrote, “It really doesn’t sound like something Trump would say [to be honest].”
It really doesn’t sound like something Trump would say tbh
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 17, 2025
According to Politico, Trump and Rupert Murdoch, whose company owns the Wall Street Journal, were seen together in box seats at the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday.
Trump stated Thursday night that he intended to sue the publication, and possibly Murdoch personally, over the article.
Trump also stated that he had directly warned Murdoch in advance about allowing the article to run.
🚨 BREAKING – IT’S HAPPENING: President Trump is SUING the WSJ for their Epstein hitpiece.
GET READY TO PAY MILLIONS. Trump’s presidential library is going to be entirely funded by media outlets who defamed him.
“President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp,… pic.twitter.com/o3HSHOjuXf
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 18, 2025
Alongside his announcement of legal action, President Trump instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to formally request that a federal judge consider unsealing grand jury testimony and other sealed materials related to the U.S. government’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019.
The Journal’s reporting has intensified existing tensions surrounding the now-closed Epstein investigation and public demands for further transparency regarding those connected to Epstein’s criminal network.
As legal proceedings develop, both the Wall Street Journal and the Department of Justice could face new pressure to release or clarify records tied to the Epstein case.
