Politics · United States · 26 mins ago
Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein story
A federal judge dismissed Donald Trump’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch in Miami.
The US president sued over a Journal story about his ties to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The story described a birthday letter bearing Trump’s name that the paper said was included in an album for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003.
Trump denied writing the letter and called the story false and defamatory.
The judge said Trump did not prove actual malice, the legal standard at issue in the case.
The dismissal with prejudice means the case cannot be refiled, so the lawsuit is over.
A federal judge permanently dismissed President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch and others over an article about Jeffrey Epstein.
Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that Trump had not shown the defendants acted with actual malice.
The suit sought $10 billion and was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.
The case concerned a 2025 Journal report about a sexually suggestive birthday note attributed to Trump and included in an album for Epstein.
Trump denied writing the note and called the Journal’s story false, malicious and defamatory.
- Who
- President Donald Trump sued The Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch and others.
- What
- A judge dismissed Trump’s defamation lawsuit, ruling he had not proved actual malice.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Federal court in Miami.
- Why
- The suit concerned a Journal article about a birthday note attributed to Trump and linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Donald Trump
The Wall Street Journal and its reporting
Accuracy
Donald Trump
Trump denied writing the note and called the story false, malicious and defamatory.
The Wall Street Journal and its reporting
The Journal reported on a birthday note bearing Trump’s name and included in an album for Epstein.
Legal claim
Donald Trump
Trump alleged the paper and its reporters knowingly and recklessly published false and defamatory statements, causing financial and reputational harm.
The Wall Street Journal and its reporting
The defendants prevailed after the judge ruled Trump had not proved actual malice.
The Wall Street Journal published its report about a birthday note attributed to Trump and linked to Epstein.
Trump filed his lawsuit in federal court in Miami.
Judge Gayles dismissed the lawsuit, according to Al Jazeera.
Judge Gayles dismissed the suit with prejudice, ruling Trump had not proved actual malice.
- Damages sought
- $10 billion
- Judge
- Darrin Gayles
- Court location
- Miami
- Article date
- July 17, 2025
- Birthday album
- Compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003
4 sources
Trump loses legal battle over Epstein-linked Wall Street Journal case
Judge Tosses Trump’s $10 Billion Suit Against The Wall Street Journal
Judge throws out Trump lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein birthday letter
Trump lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein birthday letter dismissed with prejudice
What people are saying
The Amended Complaint falls short of pleading actual malice.
grasping at straws
false, malicious, and defamatory