Trump Cuts Deal With Rupert Murdoch Related To WSJ Lawsuit Over Epstein Story
While Trump had initially sought to have Murdoch deposed swiftly, citing, in part, his advanced age and long-standing health issues, the president has now agreed to remove that request, according to a Monday court filing first reported by Politico's Josh Gerstein.
Trump sued Murdoch, the Journal's publisher and the reporters who authored an article the newspaper published last month reporting that the president wrote a lewd message to Epstein as part of an album British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell compiled for the disgraced financier's 50th birthday in 2003. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Trump has denied writing the letter, attacking the newspaper for publishing its story and taking legal action over the report.
Monday's agreement stipulates that until the 'Defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Complaint is adjudicated, the Parties agree not to engage in discovery.'
The filing, though, notes that if the defendants' motion fails, Murdoch shall be deposed in person within 30 days of that decision.
The document states that Murdoch has three days from when the court approves the agreement to provide Trump with a sworn declaration describing his current health status.
'Defendant Murdoch has further agreed to provide regularly scheduled updates to [Trump] regarding his health, including a mechanism for him to alert [Trump] if there is a material change in his health,' the document states. 'Failure to provide updates in the agreed-upon manner as set forth in the Abatement Agreement shall result in an expedited deposition of Defendant Murdoch.'
Trump last week told reporters Murdoch wanted to settle the case.
'They are talking to us about doing something but we'll see what happens,' Trump said. 'Maybe they would like us to drop that, so we'll see ... yeah, they're having, they want to settle it.'
'When I get treated unfairly, I do things about it,' he added.
Related...
Trump Wants Murdoch Swiftly Deposed Over Epstein Story Because Of Age And Health
Trump Sues WSJ Reporters, Murdoch For Libel After Epstein Birthday Card Story
Trump Lashes Out At Rupert Murdoch Over WSJ Epstein Bombshell
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