US Judge Dismisses Trump's $10 Billion Defamation Suit Against Wall Street Journal

A federal judge in Miami has dismissed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal. The litigation centered on a July 2024 report regarding a provocative birthday letter allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that the complaint failed to plausibly allege 'actual malice,' a strict legal standard required for public figures seeking defamation damages. The court noted that the defendants had attempted to verify the story by contacting the White House, the FBI, and the Justice Department prior to publication, which undermined the claim that the newspaper deliberately avoided the truth. The disputed article described a letter featuring a hand-drawn image of a naked woman and a signature that appeared to mimic pubic hair. Trump has consistently denied writing the letter, which the Journal reported was sent at the request of Ghislaine Maxwell. While the current complaint was dismissed, the judge granted Trump until April 27 to file an amended lawsuit. News Corp, the parent company of the Journal, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, maintaining the accuracy and rigor of its reporting. Trump's legal team indicated they intend to refile the case to hold the media outlet accountable.