US Judge Dismisses Trump’s Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal

A federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump’s $10 billion (€8.5 billion) defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, ruling that the former president failed to meet the legal standard of “actual malice.” The decision, issued by Judge Darrin P. Gayles, concluded that Trump did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the media outlet intentionally published false information about his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Legal Standard and Ruling

Under defamation law, public figures must demonstrate that a statement was both false and made with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth. In his ruling, Gayles emphasized that Trump’s case “comes nowhere close to this standard,” adding that the evidence presented “quite the opposite.” The judge noted that the WSJ reporters had contacted Trump for comment before publishing the article, which included his denial of the allegations. This allowed readers to evaluate the claim independently, weakening Trump’s argument that the publication acted with malice.

“This complaint comes nowhere close to this standard,” Gayles wrote in his ruling released on Monday local time. “Quite the opposite.”

Background of the Lawsuit

Trump filed the lawsuit in July 2025, targeting the Wall Street Journal and its parent company News Corp, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch. The case centered on an article alleging that a birthday card, featuring sexually suggestive text and a marker-drawn female sketch, bore Trump’s signature. The card was said to be linked to Epstein, who had been convicted of sex crimes before his death. Trump and his legal team have consistently claimed the card is fabricated.

Trump’s Next Steps

Following the dismissal, Trump announced plans to refile an “updated lawsuit” by April 27, the deadline provided for amending the original complaint. The ruling did not resolve whether the article’s content was truthful, leaving that question open. However, it marked a setback for Trump’s efforts to hold the media accountable for reporting on his ties to Epstein.

Recent Media Scrutiny

Trump’s connection to Epstein resurfaced last week when Melania Trump denied any involvement in the relationship during a press conference. At the time, Epstein was awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges involving underage girls. This renewed attention has intensified debates about the accuracy of media coverage and Trump’s legal strategy against critical reporting.

Pattern of Defamation Cases

Trump has initiated multiple defamation lawsuits during his presidency, targeting major news outlets. Recent cases include a lawsuit against the BBC in November 2025, alleging misleading editing of a speech, and suits against the New York Times over articles and a book about him. Additionally, he filed a case against an Iowa newspaper for a poll showing him trailing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. All three outlets have denied any wrongdoing in the matters.