U.S. Judge Dismisses Trump's Defamation Suit Against Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter Report
A federal judge in Florida dismissed President Donald Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and related parties over a 2025 report on a purported birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. The ruling cited insufficient allegations of actual malice and special damages. Trump may file an amended complaint by April 27, 2026.
variety.comDismissal of Defamation Lawsuit Judge Darrin Phillip Gayles of the U.
S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida dismissed President Donald Trump's defamation claims against the Wall Street Journal on Monday. The lawsuit stemmed from a July 17, 2025, report about a birthday letter purportedly written by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump sought at least $20 billion in damages from the Wall Street Journal, its parent companies Dow Jones & Co. and News Corp, the reporters on the story, and Rupert Murdoch. The ruling stated that Trump's lawsuit fails to adequately allege actual malice.
The judge wrote that Trump's complaint is devoid of any allegations regarding special damages. The court dismissed the complaint without prejudice, allowing Trump to file an amended complaint. The judge set a deadline of April 27, 2026, for Trump to file an amended complaint.
The judge declined to rule on the veracity of the Wall Street Journal's report. The judge stated that whether President Trump was the author of the letter or Epstein’s friend are questions of fact that cannot be determined at this stage of the litigation.
Details of the Wall Street Journal Report The Wall Street Journal published the story in question on July 17, 2025.
The letter, attributed to Trump, appeared in Epstein's birthday book alongside contributions from his family and friends. According to the WSJ report, it featured typewritten text outlined by a hand-drawn figure resembling a naked woman, including arcs for breasts and a signature below the waistline styled to mimic pubic hair; Trump has disputed authoring it.
' Epstein’s estate produced the Birthday Book, which contains the letter bearing the bawdy drawing and Trump’s signature, in response to a congressional subpoena. In an interview with the newspaper, President Trump denied writing the letter. Trump said, 'This is not me.
Background on the Litigation and Epstein The Wall Street Journal and its parent companies filed a motion to dismiss Trump’s lawsuit last September.
Epstein died in his jail cell in 2019, with a medical examiner ruling the cause was suicide by hanging.
Story Timeline
4 events- 2026-04-13
Judge Darrin Phillip Gayles dismissed the defamation lawsuit and set April 27, 2026, deadline for amended complaint
2 sourcesunattributed · Judge Darrin Phillip Gayles - 2025-09
Wall Street Journal and parent companies filed motion to dismiss Trump's lawsuit
1 sourceunattributed - 2025-07-17
Wall Street Journal published report on purported Trump letter to Epstein
1 sourceunattributed - 2019
Jeffrey Epstein died in jail cell, ruled suicide by hanging
1 sourceunattributed
Potential Impact
- 01
Wall Street Journal avoids immediate liability, allowing continued reporting on similar topics
- 02
Precedent for defamation thresholds in media cases involving public figures may be reinforced
- 03
Trump may refile amended complaint by April 27, 2026, potentially prolonging legal proceedings
- 04
Public scrutiny of Trump's past associations with Epstein could intensify if case proceeds
- 05
News Corp stock could experience minor volatility tied to lawsuit resolution
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