A U.S. judge dismissed former President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, owned by News Corp ($NWSA), ruling that Trump failed to meet the legal standard required to prove defamation, while allowing him to refile the case by April 27.
- U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles ruled Trump did not demonstrate “actual malice,” required for public figures in defamation claims.
- The lawsuit centered on a July 2025 article reporting Trump’s name appeared on a 2003 birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein.
- The court noted the Journal contacted Trump for comment and included his denial in the article.
- Trump sought $10 billion in damages, calling the alleged letter “fake.”
- The judge stated the complaint “comes nowhere close” to meeting the legal threshold.
- Trump has until April 27 to file an amended complaint.
- The case is one of several defamation lawsuits Trump has filed against major media outlets.
Relevant Companies
- News Corp ($NWSA) – Parent company of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones, directly involved in the lawsuit.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. This article may be updated as more detail
