Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's $10 Billion Defamation Suit Against The Wall Street Journal Over Epstein-Linked Letter

A federal judge has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against *The Wall Street Journal* and its parent company, News Corp, marking a significant legal setback for the former president. The case centered on a 2025 article that detailed an allegedly sexually suggestive letter, purportedly signed by Trump, which was part of a compilation created for Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003. The judge ruled that Trump failed to meet the legal threshold of "actual malice" required in defamation cases involving public figures.

Judge Darrin Gayles of the U.S. District Court in Miami wrote that Trump's lawsuit "comes nowhere close" to proving that the *Journal* acted with reckless disregard for the truth or should have known the story was false. The judge emphasized that reporters from the *Journal* had contacted Trump for comment before publishing the article and included his denial of the allegations. This, he argued, allowed readers to draw their own conclusions rather than forcing the newspaper to act with malice.

The lawsuit stemmed from a July 2025 article that reignited scrutiny over Trump's long-documented ties to Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The *Journal* reported that the letter, which was part of an album compiled for Epstein's birthday, was later released publicly by Congress after being subpoenaed from Epstein's estate. Trump had called the letter "fake" and claimed it damaged his reputation, but the judge found no evidence to support his claim that the *Journal* acted with intent to harm him.

Melania Trump, in a rare public statement, denied any relationship with Epstein, though she did not directly address the allegations about her husband. Her comments came as part of broader efforts by the Trump family to distance itself from the Epstein scandal, which has repeatedly resurfaced during Trump's political career.

The ruling adds to a series of legal challenges faced by Trump in recent years, particularly as he navigates fallout from the release of the Epstein files and other controversies. A spokesperson for News Corp praised the decision, calling it a victory for journalistic integrity and reiterating the *Journal*'s commitment to "reliable, rigorous, and accurate reporting."

Trump has vowed to refile the lawsuit by April 27, though legal experts suggest the amended version may face similar hurdles. For now, the dismissal underscores the high bar set for defamation claims against media outlets covering public figures, even as it leaves open questions about the broader implications of the Epstein files and their role in shaping Trump's legal and political battles.