U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch. According to multiple reports, the case centered on a July 2025 article claiming that Trump's name appeared in Jeffrey Epstein's birthday book with a suggestive letter.
Key Takeaways
U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch. The case centered on a 2025 article reporting that Trump's name appeared in Jeffrey Epstein's birthday book with a suggestive letter.
The judge ruled that Trump failed to demonstrate 'actual malice' - the legal standard requiring public figures to prove statements were made with knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard for truth. As reported by CBS News, Judge Gayles stated Trump's complaint came 'nowhere close' to meeting this burden.
The dismissal was without prejudice, allowing Trump until April 27 to file an amended lawsuit. According to Fox News, Trump’s legal team indicated he would refile the case, calling it a 'powerhouse' lawsuit against those trafficking in 'Fake News'. The Wall Street Journal reported that its article included a description of a letter with Trump's signature and a drawing of a woman's body.
This is one of several lawsuits Trump has filed during his presidency against major media outlets. Critics have expressed concern these cases could chill free speech and suppress critical coverage. The White House referred questions to Trump's legal team, while News Corp and Dow Jones did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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