President Donald Trump is asking a federal court in Florida to force Rupert Murdoch to give a deposition for the president’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal within 15 days, citing the media mogul’s age and physical condition.
Trump sued the Journal, owned by Murdoch, in the U.S. District Court of southern Florida on July 18 for its story reporting on the Republican president’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and alleged child sex trafficker who died in a New York jail in 2019 before trial.
The president’s motion to the court on Monday noted Murdoch is 94 years old, is believed to have suffered several health scares in recent years, and is presumed to live in New York. Trump’s lawyers argue Murdoch is a “key witness” in the case and that any delay in obtaining his testimony could jeopardize the proceeding.
“Taken together, these factors weigh heavily in determining that Murdoch would be unavailable for in-person testimony at trial,” Trump’s request to the court said.
The move reflects a broader strategy by Trump to challenge any press coverage, including that from conservative media, for what he sees as insufficient loyalty. Trump has openly criticized Fox News and The Wall Street Journal and has accused Murdoch of personally steering editorial decisions against him.
While Murdoch stepped down as chairman of Fox and News Corp in 2023, he remains chairman emeritus and is widely seen as maintaining influence behind the scenes. Trump’s filing suggests he believes Murdoch played a role in shaping the Journal’s editorial stance.
The case serves as a stark reminder that even the most powerful media figures aren’t immune from being pulled into the legal and political vortex surrounding Trump.
A spokesman for Murdoch’s News Corp. did not immediately return a request for comment. Trump’s motion said that, in a telephone conversation, Murdoch’s lawyer indicated he would oppose the effort.