Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal
A federal judge on Monday dismissed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against the Wall Street Journal, marking a significant setback in his ongoing legal campaign against media organizations he accuses of unfair treatment.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The case centered on a Wall Street Journal article that described a birthday card to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein bearing Trump's signature. Trump maintained the card was fake, even after it was released by lawmakers investigating Epstein's case, and filed the lawsuit in July 2025 alleging the newspaper tarnished his reputation.
This lawsuit was one of several that Trump, a Republican, has filed against major media outlets during and after his presidency over reporting he has characterized as unfair or false. These legal actions have raised concerns among Democrats and press freedom advocates who worry Trump is using defamation cases to suppress critical coverage.
Judge's Ruling and Legal Standards
Miami-based U.S. District Court Judge Darrin P. Gayles, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, dismissed the case, stating Trump had not come close to meeting the "actual malice" standard that public figures must clear in defamation cases.
The "actual malice" standard requires public figures to prove not only that a statement about them was false, but also that the media outlet or person who made the statement knew or should have known it was false.
"This complaint comes nowhere close to this standard," Gayles wrote in his ruling. "Quite the opposite."
Key Factors in the Dismissal
Judge Gayles noted several important factors in his decision:
- Wall Street Journal reporters reached out to Trump for comment before publishing the article
- The newspaper printed Trump's denial alongside their reporting
- This approach allowed readers to decide for themselves what conclusions to draw
The judge determined these actions cut against Trump's assertion that the newspaper acted with actual malice.
Next Steps and Responses
Judge Gayles said Trump could file an amended version of the lawsuit by April 27. A spokesman for Trump's legal team indicated they would refile the lawsuit, demonstrating Trump's continued commitment to pursuing legal action against media organizations.
Neither News Corp (the parent company of Wall Street Journal) nor Dow Jones responded to requests for comment following the ruling.
This legal development represents another chapter in the complex relationship between the former president and major media outlets, highlighting ongoing tensions between political figures and press organizations in the United States.
