Trump’s ‘not an easy evening’ reaction as WSJ wins award for Jeffrey Epstein report
Trump has repeatedly denied writing the letter or that the signature on it is his, and insists he cut ties with Epstein years before the financier who died by suicide in a New York jail cell.
President Donald Trump and Weijia Jiang watch as Oz Pearlman performs at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. (Photo: AP)
US President Donald Trump found himself in an awkward spot at Friday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, watching on as Wall Street Journal reporters picked up awards for the very story that led him to file a $10 billion defamation lawsuit last year.
Trump smiled and shrugged as WSJ journalists were honoured multiple times through the evening, and shook hands with some of the award winners.
When it was his turn to speak, he said it had “not been an easy evening” listening to their work being praised. He added, “All these awards… Do I have a say?” Later in his remarks, Trump repeatedly called WSJ chief political correspondent Josh Dawsey “unhireable”, amid a broader, pointed critique of the media.
What is the Epstein letter dispute about?
The awards recognised WSJ reporting from last July that uncovered a birthday message reportedly written by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. The message reportedly referred to Epstein as a “pal” and alluded to shared secrets between the two, paired with a suggestive drawing, The Independent reported.
President Donald Trump and Weijia Jiang watch as Oz Pearlman performs at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. (Photo: AP)
Trump has repeatedly denied writing the letter or that the signature on it is his, and insists he cut ties with Epstein years before the financier who died by suicide in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges came under investigation. Trump has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Trump sued the Journal, its parent company, media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the journalists behind the story last July, claiming the letter did not exist and calling the report “false” and “malicious,” The Independent reported.
President Donald Trump speaks at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington, as outgoing WHCA president Weijia Jiang listens. (Photo: AP)
A federal judge ruled in April that Trump had failed to show the story was published with “actual malice,” the legal bar for proving defamation, but left the door open for him to file an amended complaint, which he later did.
Lawyers for the Journal have said the lawsuit does not include any credible claim that the paper knowingly published false statements, arguing the story is accurate and the underlying evidence is publicly available.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Share
President Donald Trump and Weijia Jiang watch as Oz Pearlman performs at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. (Photo: AP) 
