Bulwark Takes: BREAKING – Trump Is Suing Rupert Murdoch
Released on July 19, 2025, "Bulwark Takes" delves into the latest developments surrounding former President Donald Trump's ongoing legal battles with various media entities. Hosted by Tim Miller of The Bulwark, this episode provides an in-depth analysis of Trump's newest lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal, situating it within the broader context of his litigious relationship with the press.
1. Trump's Escalating Legal Assault on the Media
In this episode, Tim Miller outlines the surge in Donald Trump's legal actions targeting media organizations. Trump has become notorious for filing multiple lawsuits against journalists and news outlets, aiming to intimidate and suppress unfavorable coverage. Miller emphasizes that Trump’s strategy seems to be a relentless pursuit of legal battles against the press, often resulting in frivolous cases.
Tim Miller [01:45]: "Trump's trying to sue so many media outlets into submission. I kind of forgot about the Bob Woodward suit."
2. The Wall Street Journal Lawsuit: A Closer Look
The centerpiece of the discussion is Trump’s lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones News Corp., Rupert Murdoch, and two of its reporters. Filed in the Southern District of Florida—a jurisdiction known for its lenient judge, Eileen Cannon, who has previously shown favoritism towards Trump—Miller suggests this move as a strategic "judge shopping."
Tim Miller [02:30]: "He's filing the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida... Obviously, we're doing some judge shopping here."
The lawsuit alleges libel and slander concerning the Wall Street Journal's reporting on a birthday note Trump sent to Jeffrey Epstein for Epstein's 50th birthday. The note's authenticity and the implications of Trump's relationship with Epstein are central to the controversy.
Tim Miller [04:10]: "The interesting part of the Wall Street Journal story, besides the content of the birthday card, was where the information was coming from."
3. Examining the Evidence: DOJ’s Involvement
Miller highlights that the album containing the birthday note was reviewed by the Justice Department before Epstein's arrest in 2006. This detail strengthens the Wall Street Journal's reporting credibility, making Trump's claims of fabrication more challenging to substantiate.
Tim Miller [05:20]: "The Justice Department looks over stuff that isn't true at all. But for the Wall Street Journal... makes it a very, very, very steep hill to climb for Donald Trump."
4. Pattern of Frivolous Lawsuits
The episode also touches upon other lawsuits filed by Trump, including against Bob Woodward and CBS's "60 Minutes." Miller criticizes these actions as baseless and obstructive, pointing out that such legal maneuvers distract from more substantive issues.
Tim Miller [03:50]: "He's filing lawsuits left, right, and center. And we have the CBS 60 Minutes situation, which is still happening, which is the most absurd lawsuit that you could possibly imagine."
5. Implications for Democracy and Media Freedom
Miller expresses concern over the broader implications of Trump's legal actions on media freedom and democratic institutions. He underscores the importance of holding such lawsuits to account to preserve the integrity of the press.
Tim Miller [07:15]: "Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump are fighting. You know democracy's had worse days than that, so we'll continue to keep an eye on it."
6. The Path Forward: Hope for Transparency
Concluding the episode, Miller advocates for these legal battles to proceed to court, where discovery processes could potentially reveal more about Trump's connections with Epstein. He remains cautiously optimistic that transparency will ultimately prevail.
Tim Miller [07:50]: "I hope they get into court, because it might be that the only way for us to truly know the extent of Donald Trump's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein would be for him to have to experience discovery on that very question."
Conclusion
This episode of "Bulwark Takes" provides a comprehensive examination of Donald Trump's latest lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal, situating it within a pattern of legal challenges aimed at the media. Tim Miller offers critical insights into the motivations behind these lawsuits, their potential impact on journalistic freedom, and the broader implications for democratic society. Through meticulous analysis and timely commentary, the episode underscores the ongoing struggle between powerful political figures and the press in maintaining transparency and accountability.