Media mogul Rupert Murdoch to share Trump's health status with delay of Epstein case deposition testimony.
In a surprising turn of events, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who is currently 94 years old and dealing with multiple health issues, has agreed to provide regular updates on his health to President Donald Trump. This agreement is part of a postponement of Murdoch's deposition in Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against him.
The lawsuit, filed in response to a Wall Street Journal story, alleges that Trump wrote a lewd birthday card for late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump has denied the allegations, calling the story "fake." The underlying dispute is part of larger tensions between Trump and media entities connected to Murdoch.
According to the agreement, Murdoch must inform the court within three days after a judge approves their stipulation and must provide ongoing, scheduled health updates to Trump. There is also a mechanism for Murdoch to alert Trump if there is a material change in his health. If Murdoch fails to provide these health updates as agreed, it would trigger an expedited deposition of Murdoch in the case.
If a judge denies the motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal, Murdoch's deposition will take place within 30 days. This agreement effectively delays the start of discovery and the deposition until the judge rules on the dismissal motion, with health updates serving as a monitoring tool during the delay.
This agreement contrasts with Fox News' long-standing support for Trump and his policies. Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, currently has a show on Fox News, and the president is an avid watcher of the network. Several of his key administration officials have also worked for Fox News.
A spokesman for Trump declined to comment on the filing. The agreement is likely to add another layer of intrigue to the ongoing legal battle between Trump and Murdoch.
[1] CNBC, "Rupert Murdoch to provide health updates to Trump in $10 billion defamation lawsuit," 28 April 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/28/rupert-murdoch-to-provide-health-updates-to-trump-in-10-billion-defamation-lawsuit.html
[2] The New York Times, "Trump Sues Murdoch, Fox News Over Epstein Story," 30 July 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/us/politics/trump-lawsuit-murdoch-fox-news.html
[3] Law360, "Rupert Murdoch To Provide Health Updates To Trump In $10B Defamation Suit," 28 April 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.law360.com/articles/1375458/rupert-murdoch-to-provide-health-updates-to-trump-in-10b-defamation-suit
- In an unusual twist, the $10 billion defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch, the media tycoon, includes a clause requiring him to provide regular health updates to President Trump.
- Besides the ongoing legal dispute over a Wall Street Journal story, the health of billionaire businessman Rupert Murdoch has become a subject of conversation in the realm of finance and politics.
- The health-and-wellness sector may seem an unusual place to find connections between Rupert Murdoch and President Trump, yet an agreement stipulates that Murdoch must inform Trump of any material changes in his health.
- While Fox News has been historically supportive of President Trump's politics and policies, the recent agreement forcing Rupert Murdoch to provide health updates to Trump introduces an unexpected element to their existing business relationship.
