Vice President J.D. Vance and Wife Usha Vance’s Montana Trip and Wall Street Journal Report Stir Republican Uproar

Vice President J.D. Vance and Wife Usha Vance’s Montana Trip and Wall Street Journal Report Stir Republican Uproar

[Washington D.C., July 21, 2025] — U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance recently made a secretive trip to Montana, where they were reportedly seen at media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s private ranch, according to multiple sources. The day after their visit, The Wall Street Journal published an explosive report suggesting the existence of alleged correspondence between former President Donald Trump and deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — triggering a political firestorm in both the White House and Republican circles.

In response, Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Journal, its owner Rupert Murdoch, and the involved journalists.

On Tuesday, Vice President Vance and his wife arrived in Montana aboard the official aircraft “Air Force Two.” Their destination was Murdoch’s luxurious family ranch located near the city of Butte — a property purchased in 2021 from the Koch Brothers for $280 million, encompassing 12,000 head of cattle, valleys, and mountain ranges near Yellowstone National Park.

They were accompanied by Montana State Auditor James Brown, who confirmed he personally welcomed the Vances at the airport and assisted Usha Vance’s staff with ground transport. The couple also participated in some informal activities, including hiking.

While the exact content of the meetings remains confidential, speculation is rife in political circles. As Vance currently serves as the Republican National Committee’s head of finance, some believe the purpose of the trip was to raise funds ahead of the 2026 elections. However, rumors are also circulating in Washington that the Murdoch family may have given Vance an early heads-up about the upcoming Journal report concerning the Trump-Epstein connection.

Many observers believe Vance has his eyes set on a future presidential run. While Trump initially preferred North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his running mate, pressure from Peter Thiel and other conservative billionaires reportedly led to the selection of Vance as vice president.

In the defamation lawsuit filed in federal court in Miami, Trump claims that the Wall Street Journal report caused him “severe harm,” both socially and financially. The suit asserts that the Journal has no proof of ever seeing or verifying the alleged letter — relying solely on “hearsay.”

To win the case, Trump must prove that the journalists acted with “actual malice,” meaning they knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

Legal experts note that the $10 billion claim ranks among the largest defamation cases in U.S. history — potentially surpassing even those involving Alex Jones and the Fox-Dominion lawsuit.

Rupert Murdoch has long been a staunch supporter of conservative politics and even attended Trump’s inauguration. However, in recent years, both Fox News and the Wall Street Journal — under Murdoch’s ownership — have published a string of negative reports about Trump, suggesting a growing rift in their relationship.

Trump has already described the Wall Street Journal as a “disgraceful rag” and a “corrupt publication.”