FIREwire — July 18, 2025
Trump threatens to sue the Wall Street Journal, Texas reporter asks SCOTUS to revisit her arrest for doing journalism, federal court okays banning CRT
Trump threatens to sue the Wall Street Journal
Trump threatened to sue the Wall Street Journal, parent company News Corp, and owner Rupert Murdoch over a report claiming he sent a “bawdy” letter to Jeffrey Epstein for the latter’s 50th birthday.
Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking related to Epstein’s operation, had reportedly prepared a special gift for Epstein.
Trump allegedly sent Epstein a birthday letter, which he claims is fake, with a drawing of a naked woman that said, “May every day be another wonderful secret.”
‘La Gordiloca’ appeals to U.S. Supreme Court
FIRE client and citizen‑journalist Priscilla Villarreal is asking the Supreme Court to revisit her First Amendment lawsuit after officials arrested her requesting public info from police while reporting the news.
In 2017, she received tips from private citizens about a high-profile suicide and a fatal car accident, verified them by asking a Laredo police officer, and published those facts.
As FIRE staff attorney David Rubin remarked in his recent report on the story, “In short, Priscilla went to jail for basic journalism.”
Federal court says Arkansas can ban CRT in classrooms
A federal appeals court ruled that banning critical race theory (CRT) in schools does not violate students’ First Amendment rights.
In 2023, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the law banning the classroom teaching of CRT, which argues that racism is embedded in our society.
The judges ruled, “Just as ordinary citizens cannot require the government to express a certain viewpoint or maintain a prior message, students cannot oblige the government to maintain a particular curriculum … based on the Free Speech Clause.”
Also in the news
On Saturday, Trump said he is considering revoking comedian and longtime Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship, calling her “a Threat to Humanity.”
Last week, we told you Love Island’s Cierra Ortega was booted for using the slur “chinky” in an old social media post. This week, the show’s producers warned fans they will ban anyone who says mean things online to cast members.
Going after rupert murdoch