Trump Lawsuit Against WSJ Dismissed As Judge Cites Lack Of ‘Actual Malice’
A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, dealing a setback to his legal challenge over a controversial report tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that Trump’s legal team failed to sufficiently demonstrate that the publication acted with “actual malice,” the legal standard required in defamation cases involving public figures. However, the judge left the door open for Trump to amend and refile the lawsuit.
The case centered on a report describing a letter allegedly sent by Trump to Epstein for his 50th birthday. Trump has denied the existence of any such letter containing inappropriate content, arguing that the story was fabricated and defamatory.
In his ruling, Gayles pointed to the Journal’s efforts to seek comment from Trump and his administration before publishing the article, undercutting claims that the outlet knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
Defamation cases brought by public officials face a high legal bar due to longstanding precedent requiring proof of intentional or reckless falsehood. The judge emphasized that allegations of bias or ill will alone are not enough to meet that threshold.
A spokesperson for Trump indicated that the president plans to refile the lawsuit, signaling that the legal fight is not over. Meanwhile, representatives for the Journal’s parent company stood by the reporting and welcomed the court’s decision.
The dispute is part of a broader series of legal battles involving Trump and major media organizations, many of which stem from coverage related to Epstein and other high-profile controversies.
The ruling does not determine whether the claims in the article are true or false, focusing instead on whether the legal standard for defamation was met under the Constitution.
With the option to amend the complaint still available, the case could return to court as Trump continues his efforts to challenge media coverage he has labeled as inaccurate.