Trump has sued Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal over its July 17 article alleging the president sent a “bawdy” letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday, which included a drawing of a naked woman and Trump telling the late financier, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

Speaking in Canton, Ohio, on Monday, Vice President JD Vance was asked about the Jeffrey Epstein files and took an opportunity to defend President Donald Trump and his handling of the ongoing saga, which has caused controversy among his base.