A federal judge has dismissed President Trump's defamation case against the Wall Street Journal for a story they published regarding a birthday letter the president had given to Epstein.
NEW: A federal judge in Florida dismissed Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal over the Epstein birthday letter story.
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 13, 2026\
The judge ruled Trump failed to plausibly show “actual malice,” dismissing the case. pic.twitter.com/oLZSNsypnp
U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles, appointed by President Obama, stated in his order that the president had not sufficiently demonstrated that the article was published with malicious intent. However, the judge allowed the president an opportunity to submit an updated complaint.
"President Trump will follow Judge Gayles' ruling and guidance to refile this powerhouse lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and all of the other Defendants. The President will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in fake news to mislead the American people," a spokesman for Trump’s legal team said.
President Trump has denied writing the letter, calling the report "false, malicious, and defamatory."
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump announces he will be suing Wall Street Journal, News Corp., AND Rupert Murdoch over their “FAKE” story about him and Epstein published in WSJ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 18, 2025
LFG!
SUE THEM INTO THE STONE AGE, 47! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/x1Qr77R07o
"We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS 'article' in the useless 'rag' that is, The Wall Street Journal," the president wrote on Truth Social last summer.
This historic legal action is being brought against the so-called authors of this defamation, the now fully disgraced WSJ, as well as its corporate owners and affiliates, with Rupert Murdoch and Robert Thomson (whatever his role is!) at the top of the list. We have proudly held to account ABC and George Slopadopoulos, CBS and 60 Minutes, The Fake Pulitzer Prizes, and many others who deal in, and push, disgusting LIES, and even FRAUD, to the American People. This lawsuit is filed not only on behalf of your favorite President, ME, but also in order to continue standing up for ALL Americans who will no longer tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Fake News Media. I hope Rupert and his “friends” are looking forward to the many hours of depositions and testimonies they will have to provide in this case. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!