US judge drops Trump’s lawsuit against Wall Street Journal

A federal judge dismissed Donald Trump’s defamation case against the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) following a story that linked the president to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The ruling, issued by Judge Darrin P. Gayles, found Trump’s $10 billion (€8.5 billion) claim insufficient to meet the “actual malice” standard required for public figures in defamation lawsuits.

Judge’s Ruling

In his decision, Gayles emphasized that Trump failed to prove the WSJ knowingly published false information. “This complaint comes nowhere close to this standard,” he wrote, noting the opposite. The judge highlighted that reporters had contacted Trump for comment before publishing the article, which included a denial from the president. This allowed readers to assess the truth independently, weakening Trump’s argument of malicious intent.

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

Trump’s Legal Claims

Trump’s case targeted the WSJ and its parent company, News Corp, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch. The lawsuit, filed in July 2025, accused the publication of damaging his reputation by publishing an article about a birthday card linked to Epstein. The card, which featured sexually suggestive text and a marker-drawn female figure, was said to bear Trump’s signature. Trump and his legal team have consistently denied the card’s authenticity.

Refiling Plans

Despite the dismissal, Trump announced intentions to refile an “updated lawsuit” by April 27, the deadline set for submitting an amended version. The ruling did not determine the article’s truthfulness, leaving that aspect unresolved.

Context and Previous Cases

The controversy resurfaced last week after Melania Trump denied connections to Epstein during a press conference. The sex offender was awaiting trial on charges related to underage sex trafficking at the time of his death. Trump has previously sued major media outlets, including the BBC and the New York Times, over articles he labeled as unfair or false. A recent case against the BBC sought damages for what he claims was misleading editing of a speech.

Other legal actions include a lawsuit against an Iowa newspaper for a poll showing Trump trailing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. All three outlets have denied wrongdoing, maintaining their reports were accurate. Press freedom advocates worry Trump may be using defamation lawsuits to silence critical coverage, raising concerns about the impact on free speech.