Sept. 23 (UPI) — The Wall Street Journal filed a motion Monday to dismiss President Donald Trump‘s $10 billion defamation lawsuit over the newspaper’s reporting on a 50th birthday letter he claims he did not write to Jeffrey Epstein more than two decades ago.
According to the filing, The Journal argued the case should be thrown out because “the article is true.”
“Epstein’s estate produced the Birthday Book, which contains the letter bearing the bawdy drawing and Trump’s signature, exactly as The Wall Street Journal reported.”
“While this case’s threat to the First Amendment is serious, the claims asserted by President Trump are meritless and should be promptly dismissed with prejudice,” the newspaper said.
Trump has denied writing the letter, saying, “This is not me,” and “This is a fake thing.” He is asking for $10 billion on two counts of defamation, which could total more than $20 billion.
The Journal’s filing asks the court to order Trump pay the defendants’ attorneys’ fees. The newspaper argues the article is not defamatory.
“Even if it had reported that President Trump personally crafted the letter — and it does not — there is nothing defamatory about a person sending a bawdy note to a friend,” according to the motion, which detailed the note that included a drawing of a naked woman.
Trump disagreed.
“The Wall Street Journal and News Corp. owner Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social in July. “The press has to learn to be truthful and not rely on sources that probably don’t even exist.”
The Wall Street Journal’s motion to dismiss comes days after a federal judge threw out a $15 billion lawsuit, also filed by the president, against The New York Times. The judge called Trump’s allegations “superfluous.”
Last year, Trump won a $15 million settlement from ABC News in a defamation suit against the network over false statements. Trump also won a $16 million settlement from CBS News over what he called deceptively edited comments during the presidential election.
ALL medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and even herbal remedies, have the potential to cause side effects.
But experts have warned weight loss jab users to pay real attention to any side effects they experience, as they could actually be signalling deadly cancer, as Dawn Clegg tragically found out.
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Dawn Clegg initially put her chest pain down to a side effect of the ‘King Kong’ of fat jabs, Mounjaro
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Dawn, pictured with husband Arron, was given less than a year to live after doctors discovered a soft-tissue cancer known as sarcomaCredit: SWNS
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Like all medications, fat jabs have the potential to cause side effects – but many can mask various deadly cancers, experts tell Sun HealthCredit: Getty
The 51-year-old, from Morecambe, Lancashire, had been using Mounjaro to treat her diabetes, but in March this year, she began suffering from chest pain, which she initially put down to a side effect of the jabs.
When the pain persisted, she headed to A&E before doctors made a shocking discovery.
After undergoing several X-rays, doctors spotted shadows on her lungs, kidneys and breast, and she was diagnosed with soft-tissue cancer, known as sarcoma.
Dawn was then given the life-shattering news that she had less than a year to live.
Her heartbroken husband, Arron Clegg, 51, is planning to hold a “living wake” in November to celebrate the life of his wife.
He said: “We were devastated on hearing news of cancer in these areas – there is no cure and she is now terminal.”
Weight loss expert atThe Lagom Clinic, Dr Jack Ogden, said he has also been made aware of a fat jab user mistaking symptoms of cancer for side effects, though they weren’t linked to the clinic.
He tells Sun Health: “As a clinician, hearing about cases like this is always sobering. It reinforces how easy it is for both patients and healthcare professionals to attribute symptoms to the most obvious cause.
“In this case, weight loss injections, when something more serious may be underlying.”
The fat jab user, a 52-year-old who remains anonymous, began experiencing persistent fatigue, feeling full quickly, and mild nausea while on a GLP-1 weight loss injection.
Weight Loss Jabs – Pros vs Cons
They initially assumed these symptoms were routine side effects, but they persisted beyond the expected two to three-week adjustment period.
Further investigation by their GP revealed a diagnosis of stage two stomach cancer – which isn’t very common in the UK but can be deadly.
When detected early, stomach cancer has a high chance of being cured.
But it’s often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, which makes it harder to treat and means survival rates can be low.
Dr Ogden said: “It’s important to monitor persistent symptoms, keep a log of side effects, and seek prompt medical advice if anything unusual arises.”
So what cancer symptoms could people mistake for the side effects of fat jabs?
Here, a team of experts offer their life-saving advice…
THE SYMPTOMS YOU MUST NOT IGNORE
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THERE are more than 200 different types of cancer, and they all have different signs and symptoms.
While some affect specific areas of the body, symptoms can be more general and similar to those caused by less serious conditions or medication side effects.
She says: “Thyroid swelling or a lump in the neck might be dismissed as an injection side effect, but it could also indicate thyroid cancer.
“The risk of thyroid swelling has been confirmed as a potential side effect by the manufacturers of both Mounjaro and Wegovy.
“And nausea is another common side effect of weight loss jabs that can also indicate liver, bladder or pancreatic cancer.
“There’s a lot of overlap between the symptoms of different organ cancers (like liver and pancreatic cancer) because they affect similar areas of the body.
“This can make identification of cancer symptoms difficult, especially when side effects of weight loss injections are also present.”
It’s also important to note that while use of the jabs results in weight loss, sudden, unexplained, unintentional, and significant (more than 5 per cent of your body weight in six to 12 months) weight loss could be a red flag for cancer.
HOW TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
THERE’S not always an easy way to tell the difference between cancer symptoms and weight loss side effects.
It depends on the symptoms you experience, says Ms Goncalves.
She explains: “High levels of acid reflux or heartburn that persist even after you’ve stopped weight loss injections should definitely be looked into by a doctor or GP.
“Also, a lump in the neck, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing could indicate thyroid cancer.
“It’s not possible to fully tell on your own, so you should consult your doctor or GP if you experience these symptoms.”
WHAT’S THE RISK?
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Mistaking cancer symptoms for medication side effects could lead to a delay in diagnosisCredit: Getty
KEVIN Joshua, clinical lead at Juniper, an online healthcare provider, says while it’s not very common, confusing symptoms and side effects are a real risk.
He warns: “The danger is that someone may put persistent or worsening symptoms down to the medication, rather than seeing their GP.
“That missed time can make all the difference in cancer treatment and survival.”
Ms Gonclaves adds: “Cancer caught early is far easier to treat. If people assume ongoing pain, nausea or weight loss is just a side effect, they may only get checked once the cancer is more advanced – and that can be life-threatening.
“Given the increasing use of weight loss injections in the UK, the potential for confusion is likely growing, especially for cancer symptoms that overlap with common injection side effects.
“However, there’s currently no large-scale study that estimates how frequently cancer symptoms are misattributed to jabs.
“But it’s important to note the safety of Wegovy and Mounjaro has been proven in clinical trials, and they are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for weight management in the UK.”
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
IF you experience any symptoms after starting weight loss jabs, Dr Ogden recommends you do the following:
Track your symptoms – keep a daily log noting timing, intensity, and duration.
Monitor persistence – common side effects usually settle within two to three weeks.
Note severity changes – sudden worsening or new symptoms are red flags.
Consult a healthcare professional promptly – don’t wait to see if symptoms pass if they are unusual or severe.
Communicate openly – share your symptom log with your GP or specialist for accurate assessment.
Weight loss injections can be safe and effective, but awareness and careful monitoring are essential, added Dr Ogden.
“Early detection of serious issues can save lives and prevent complications.”
The majority of common side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin redness or fatigue, can be managed with adequate hydration, dietary choices, and over‑the‑counter medication.
Ms Goncalves advises: “You can try eating smaller meals, and using herbal teas or oral rehydration salts to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms.
“You should drink fluids regularly to ensure you are hydrated.”
But you should seek medical help if symptoms are severe, continue for more than a few weeks, or are linked with alarm signs like vomiting blood, blood in stools, jaundice, unexplained weight loss or a lump.
“These should never be written off as ‘just the jab’,” said Mr Joshua.
THE MOST COMMON CANCERS IN THE UK TO BE AWARE OF
THE most common cancers in the UK are breast, prostate, lung, and and bowel cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, affecting both men and women but far more common in women.
Symptoms include a new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, changes in breast size or shape, nipple changes like inversion or discharge (especially with blood), skin changes such as dimpling, redness, or a rash, and persistent pain.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
Symptoms primarily involve urinary and sexual issues, such as frequent or urgent urination (especially at night), difficulty starting or stopping urine flow, a weak stream, and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK, linked to smoking.
Common lung cancer symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, breathlessness, an unexplained cough that gets worse, chest pain or ache, recurring chest infections, and unexplained weight loss or fatigue.
And bowel cancer is a common cancer affecting both men and women.
Symptoms can include a persistent change in bowel habits, blood in your poo or bleeding from the bottom, unexplained weight loss, unexplained tiredness, and a pain or lump in your tummy.
Early diagnosis can significantly improve outcomes for most cancers, so if you experience any of these symptoms, see your GP.
JERUSALEM — The Israeli Cabinet on Monday voted unanimously to fire the attorney general, escalating a long-running standoff between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the judiciary that critics see as a threat to the country’s democratic institutions.
The Supreme Court froze the move while it considers the legality of it.
Netanyahu and his supporters accuse Atty. Gen. Gali Baharav-Miara of exceeding her powers by blocking decisions by the elected government, including a move to fire the head of Israel’s domestic security agency, another ostensibly apolitical office. She has said there is a conflict of interest because Netanyahu and several former aides face a series of criminal investigations.
Critics accuse Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, of undermining judicial independence and seeking to concentrate power in the hands of his coalition government, the most nationalist and religious in Israel’s history. Netanyahu denies the allegations and says he is the victim of a witch hunt by hostile judicial officials egged on by the media.
An attempt by Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judiciary in 2023 sparked months of mass protests, and many believe it weakened the country ahead of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack later that year that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip.
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a prominent watchdog group, said it filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court following Monday’s vote. It said more than 15,000 citizens have joined the petition, calling the dismissal “illegal” and “unprecedented.”
In a statement, the group accused the government of changing dismissal procedures only after failing to legally remove Baharav-Miara under the existing rules. It also cited a conflict of interest related to Netanyahu’s ongoing trial.
“This decision turns the role of the attorney general into a political appointment,” the group said. “The legal battle will continue until this flawed decision is overturned.”
Seales and Joseph take nine wickets before Australia stage mini recovery by restricting West Indies to 57-4 at stumps.
In a performance reminiscent of West Indies’ fearsome bowling attacks of old, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph tore through the Australia batting lineup, toppling them for a meagre 180 on day one of the first Test at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Mitchell Starc, skipper Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood saved Australia’s blushes, taking four wickets between them to send the West Indies in at stumps at 57 for four, trailing the tourists by 123 runs to leave the match delicately poised on Wednesday.
With Seales claiming a magnificent five-wicket haul and Joseph unleashing thunderbolts that left Australia’s batsmen floundering, the visitors never recovered from a catastrophic start that saw them reeling at 22 for three on a lively pitch.
“This one was pretty special for me,” Seales said.
“I have played against [Australia] once, and was injured. To play against them and get five on the first day was pretty special.
“With the new ball, the plan was to bowl fuller. We knew the batters would come hard if we gave them width, and the plan was to bowl full and as much at the stumps as possible.
“A little slower than what the Australians would have expected, and that made them play a lot more.
“Shamar was special today … He has a love for Australia. He got through the top order and made it easy for us in the middle and at the end.”
Australia, already vulnerable with Steve Smith sidelined by injury and Marnus Labuschagne axed, watched in dismay as their re-jigged top order wilted under relentless pressure from the Caribbean quicks.
Joseph got the Bridgetown carnival started in the fourth over when he trapped teenage debutant Sam Konstas leg before wicket after a review.
The 25-year-old then delivered a scorching delivery that all-rounder Cameron Green could only edge to Justin Greaves at second slip.
Seales then joined the party, coaxing a thick top edge from Josh Inglis that sent him trudging back to the pavilion for five, completing Australia’s horror start.
Veteran Usman Khawaja and Travis Head briefly stemmed the tide with an 89-run partnership, but Joseph struck again at the perfect moment, removing Khawaja for 47 – agonisingly short of his half-century – and extinguishing Australian hopes of a recovery.
The middle order offered little resistance, with Beau Webster (11) and Alex Carey (8) falling cheaply before Greaves claimed the prize scalp of Head for 59, caught behind.
Captain Pat Cummins (28) provided the only lower-order resistance before Seales returned to sweep through the tail, completing his five-wicket masterclass and leaving Australia to contemplate the wreckage of their innings.
West Indies would have fancied their chances at that point, but Starc had other plans, snapping up the wickets of Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell in an action-packed opening spell.
Cummins then had Keacy Carty caught behind on 20 before Hazlewood bowled nightwatchman Jomel Warrican out for a duck, as the Barbadian sun set on an exhilarating day of Test cricket dominated by pace.
Australia’s Beau Webster is bowled by West Indies’ Shamar Joseph during day one of the first Test match at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados [Ricardo Mazalan/AP]
