Smerconish Analyzes Trump's Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Report

The Wall Street Journal Report

• 📰 A bombshell story from The Wall Street Journal reported that 22 years ago, Donald Trump was among friends of Jeffrey Epstein, and that a birthday greeting to Epstein included a letter with a drawing from Trump.
• 🧐 The Journal reported reviewing unspecified documents and relying on people who had reviewed pages, including a letter bearing Trump's name with a drawing of a naked woman.
• 🚫 Trump has denied the authenticity of the drawing and letter, calling the story fake and threatening to sue The Wall Street Journal.

Trump's Libel Lawsuit

• ⚖️ Donald Trump has filed a libel lawsuit seeking at least $20 billion against The Wall Street Journal and its reporters.
• 🎯 This lawsuit is framed as a classic Trump strategy of denial and attack, but unlike other controversies, it concerns something that either exists or does not.
• 📚 The report details a leather-bound book with contributions from various individuals, including a mock-up of a Vanity Fair cover by Alan Dershowitz and an Epstein report card.

Legal Implications and Deposition

• 🎤 CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig explains that by filing the lawsuit, Trump has signed up to be deposed under oath about his relationship with Epstein.
• 🏛️ Honig cites the Paula Jones case against Bill Clinton, stating that even the president can be deposed in a civil case, and Trump, as the plaintiff, has no executive privilege to avoid it.
• 📄 The subject matter of the deposition will focus entirely on the nature, extent, and details of Trump's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Journal's Legal Strategy and Document Handling

• 🔍 Honig suggests The Wall Street Journal's careful phrasing in the article signals they are prepared for the lawsuit and have conducted thorough diligence.
• 📰 While the Journal reviewed the letter, they did not publish it, a tactic that could be a strategic move, potentially holding it back for later release.
• ❓ The Journal's reporting is described as