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President Donald Trump is asking a federal judge to compel 94-year-old media mogul Rupert Murdoch to sit for a deposition within 15 days in connection with Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal. The motion, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida, cites Murdoch’s age, reported health concerns, and residence in New York as grounds for expedited testimony.
The lawsuit, filed by Trump on July 18, accuses the Journal—a News Corp publication owned by Murdoch—of publishing “reckless and defamatory” reporting about Trump’s relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Background: Trump’s Lawsuit Against the WSJ
Trump’s lawsuit stems from a Wall Street Journal story that reportedly explored his past associations with Epstein, alleging undisclosed social or financial ties. Trump, through his attorneys, has insisted that the article was “deliberately misleading” and designed to damage his reputation during a heated election cycle.
The complaint filed in Florida claims the Journal acted “with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth,” the legal threshold required for public figures to prove defamation.
Request for Swift Deposition
In Monday’s motion, Trump’s legal team argued that Murdoch’s advanced age and declining health may make him unavailable to testify at trial, warranting urgent action.
“Taken together, these factors weigh heavily in determining that Murdoch would be unavailable for in-person testimony at trial,” the filing states. The motion asserts that the billionaire, who has experienced “several health scares,” should provide sworn testimony “as soon as practically possible.”
Trump’s attorneys also noted that Murdoch likely resides in New York, outside the jurisdiction of the Florida court, further complicating access to live testimony without a pre-trial deposition.
Murdoch’s Position and News Corp Response
Murdoch has not commented publicly on the request. A spokesperson for News Corp, the parent company of The Wall Street Journal, did not immediately return a request for comment.
According to the motion, Murdoch’s legal counsel told Trump’s team during a recent phone call that he plans to oppose the effort to compel a deposition.
Broader Context: Legal Tensions Between Trump and the Press
The lawsuit marks the latest in a string of legal battles Trump has waged against news organizations. He has previously sued CNN and The New York Times, frequently accusing media outlets of bias, misconduct, or defamation.
Murdoch’s media empire has had a complicated relationship with Trump, offering both favorable coverage and critical editorial positions. Although Fox News—a fellow Murdoch-controlled outlet—was once a reliable platform for Trump, the relationship has cooled in recent years.
If successful, the motion could force one of the most powerful figures in global media to testify under oath in a politically charged defamation case with implications for both press freedom and presidential accountability.
Next Steps
The court has not yet ruled on Trump’s request. If approved, Murdoch would be required to give a deposition within 15 days. Legal analysts say the judge’s decision could hinge on whether the court agrees that Murdoch is likely to be medically or logistically unavailable later in the trial process.
The case is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. A trial date has not yet been set.
