*

Trump denies WSJ report on Epstein birthday letter,

threatens

lawsuit against Murdoch

*

Bondi pledges to begin seeking Epstein grand jury

documents on

Friday

*

Trump supporters demand more Epstein documents, causing

fracture

within president's base

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) -

Donald Trump's aides were expected on Friday to ask a court

to release grand jury testimony about Jeffrey Epstein, as the

president fought back against concerns over his administration's

handling of the deceased convicted sex offender's case.

Trump's request on Thursday to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi

to seek the records came hours after The Wall Street Journal

reported on a 50th birthday greeting to Epstein that Trump

allegedly sent in 2003 that included a sexually suggestive

drawing and a reference to secrets they shared.

Trump vehemently denied the Journal report, which Reuters

has not verified. Trump warned Rupert Murdoch, the founder of

News Corp ( NWSA ), the paper's parent company, that he planned

to sue.

"I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my

lawsuit against him and his 'pile of garbage' newspaper, the

WSJ. That will be an interesting experience!!!" Trump said in a

post on Truth Social on Friday morning.

The Journal said the letter bearing Trump's name was part of

a leather-bound birthday book for Epstein that included messages

from other high-profile people. The newspaper said the letter

contains several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline

of a naked woman, which appeared to be hand-drawn with a heavy

marker. The newspaper said the letter concludes "Happy Birthday

- and may every day be another wonderful secret," and featured

the signature "Donald."

Allegations that Epstein had been sexually abusing girls became

public in 2006 - after the birthday book was produced - and he

was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein

died in 2019 in jail after he was arrested for a second time and

charged with sex-trafficking conspiracy.

Some of Trump's most loyal supporters reacted in fury after the

Justice Department earlier this month concluded there was no

evidence to support a number of long-held conspiracy theories

about the disgraced financier's clients and death in prison.

Bondi had pledged months earlier to reveal major revelations

about Epstein, including "a lot of names" and "a lot of flight

logs."

WHAT THE DOCUMENTS COULD SHOW

The release of the grand jury documents may fall short of

what many of Trump's supporters have sought, including case

files held by the administration.

Grand juries review evidence from prosecutors to determine

whether people should be indicted for crimes. This includes

hearsay, improperly obtained information and other evidence that

prosecutors would not be allowed to present at trial.

Transcripts of grand jury proceedings are generally kept

secret under federal criminal procedure rules, with limited

exceptions.

Disclosure of grand jury matters, other than deliberations

and votes, is allowed to government personnel who can help

government lawyers enforce federal criminal laws.

A judge may allow disclosure of grand jury matters in

connection with judicial proceedings, or at the request of

defendants who believe it could lead to the dismissal of their

indictments.

It is likely that some material released from grand jury

proceedings would be redacted, or blacked out, because of

privacy or security concerns.

The demands by Trump supporters for more Epstein-related

documents have caused a rare fracture within the president's

base. Supporters, inspired by conservative talk show hosts and

podcasters, have said the federal government is concealing

records to protect wealthy and influential people with ties to

Epstein.

Trump has pushed back, calling the matter a hoax.

On Thursday, shortly after the Journal report, Trump

directed Bondi to "produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury

testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by

the Democrats, should end, right now!"

Shortly after Trump's statement, Bondi said on X that the

Justice Department was ready to ask the court on Friday to

unseal the grand jury transcripts.

"President Trump - we are ready to move the court tomorrow

to unseal the grand jury transcripts," Bondi wrote.