Legal AF by MeidasTouch Trump Instantly Folds in Case Against Murdoch
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Aug 5, 2025 Trump has backed down from demanding Rupert Murdoch’s immediate deposition in a defamation case, likely due to threats of sanctions from Murdoch's team. The Wall Street Journal's controversial report linked Trump to Epstein, raising questions about freedom of the press. Legal strategies are scrutinized, including Trump's risky tactics and the unusual choice of Miami as the filing venue. The chances of the Journal’s motion to dismiss appear favorable, putting Trump in a potentially vulnerable position as the case unfolds.
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Rush To Depose Backfired
- Michael Popok argues Trump's rush to depose Rupert Murdoch was a strategic mistake that exposed weaknesses in his case.
- Forcing an early deposition invited retaliation and bought the Wall Street Journal leverage to demand Trump's deposition in return.
The Scrapbook Story That Sparked The Suit
- Popok narrates the Wall Street Journal's reporting on a scrapbook linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
- He recounts how Trump's alleged birthday-card comments created the defamation dispute with the Journal.
Early Depositions Break Norms
- Popok explains federal civil procedure norms: discovery and depositions usually follow initial document exchanges under Rule 26.
- Asking for a deposition within days of filing contradicts typical timelines and alerts opposing counsel.