A US judge dismisses Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, citing lack of evidence of “actual malice.”
A US federal judge has dismissed a massive $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal, marking a significant legal setback for the president in his ongoing battle with major media organizations.
Judge Darrin Gayles of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled that Trump failed to meet the legal threshold required to prove defamation. In his decision, the judge stated that Trump had not “plausibly alleged” that the publication acted with “actual malice,” a key requirement in defamation cases involving public figures.
The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, meaning Trump retains the right to refile the case with additional arguments or evidence.
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Following the ruling, a spokesperson for Trump’s legal team said the president intends to continue pursuing the matter. The statement described the lawsuit as a “powerhouse” case and confirmed plans to refile it in court.
Trump also echoed this sentiment on social media, signaling that the legal fight against the newspaper is far from over.
Meanwhile, representatives of Dow Jones & Company welcomed the decision. In a statement, they said: “We are pleased with the judge’s decision to dismiss this complaint. We stand behind the reliability, rigor and accuracy of The Wall Street Journal’s reporting.”
The lawsuit stemmed from a report published by The Wall Street Journal on July 17, which detailed an alleged birthday message sent by Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The article, titled: “Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album. One Was From Donald Trump,” described a letter that reportedly appeared in a 2003 birthday album compiled for Epstein.
According to the report, the letter included a drawing of a naked woman with Trump’s signature positioned below the figure, alongside a message that read: “Happy Birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump strongly denied the claims, telling the newspaper: “this is a fake thing” and insisting that he had never created such a drawing. “I don’t draw pictures of women,” he said, adding in his lawsuit that “no authentic letter or drawing exists.”
Trump’s legal complaint named several defendants, including News Corp, its founder Rupert Murdoch, CEO Robert Thomson, Dow Jones, and two reporters involved in the story.
The president sought $10 billion in damages, claiming the article harmed his reputation.
However, lawyers for The Wall Street Journal argued that the reporting was accurate and thoroughly vetted. They also contended that the content described in the article was not inconsistent with Trump’s public persona, and therefore could not be considered defamatory.
Judge Gayles sided with the newspaper, noting that Trump failed to demonstrate that the publication knowingly published false information or acted recklessly. The judge also highlighted that the newspaper had contacted Trump for comment prior to publication and included his denial in the article.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Trump’s past association with Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose network and activities have been the subject of intense scrutiny.
At the time the article was published, Trump was facing mounting pressure to release files related to the US Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein.
A copy of the controversial birthday album, which reportedly includes the letter, was later provided to members of the House Oversight Committee by lawyers representing Epstein’s estate. The album was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, who has been convicted of facilitating Epstein’s abuse network.
The dismissal of this lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal battles between Trump and major media outlets. The president has repeatedly criticized the press and pursued legal action against several organizations.
In recent months, Trump has filed lawsuits against The New York Times, BBC, CNN, and The Des Moines Register over their reporting.
One notable case a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times and others was dismissed in September, though Trump later refiled it in October.
Trump’s confrontational approach toward the media has increasingly been cited in court decisions. Judges have referenced his public criticism of journalists when ruling on cases involving press freedom and executive authority.
On March 31, a federal judge blocked an executive order issued by Trump that sought to cut funding to public broadcasters NPR and PBS. The court ruled that the move violated First Amendment protections.
These rulings underscore the legal challenges Trump faces as he continues to contest media coverage through the courts.
Although the dismissal is a setback, the case may not be over. Since the judge allowed the lawsuit to be refiled, Trump’s legal team is expected to revise its arguments in an attempt to meet the strict legal standards required in defamation cases involving public figures.
The outcome of any future filing could have broader implications for the relationship between political leaders and the press, especially in an era marked by heightened tensions and legal confrontations.
Source : The New York Times
Image Source : Rai News
