A federal judge in the United States has dismissed a $10 billion (€8.5 billion) defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal. The ruling was made on Monday, marking a significant setback for Trump in his ongoing legal battles with the media.
Trump’s lawsuit, initiated in July, targeted media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the Journal following the publication of a report concerning a birthday letter he purportedly sent to his former associate, Jeffrey Epstein. In a comprehensive 17-page ruling, District Judge Darrin Gayles concluded that Trump had not sufficiently demonstrated that the Murdoch-owned publication had knowingly disseminated false information, which is a crucial requirement for defamation claims.
“Because President Trump has not plausibly alleged that defendants published the article with actual malice, both Counts must be dismissed,” Gayles stated in his decision.
Judge Gayles, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, has offered Trump the chance to revise his complaint and potentially refile the lawsuit by April 27.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team indicated that they would take this opportunity to resubmit the lawsuit. In their statement, they affirmed, “President Trump will follow Judge Gayles’s 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.”
Trump’s ongoing conflict with the media
Since returning to the White House, Trump has escalated his longstanding antagonism toward the media. The lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal is part of a broader pattern of attacks on news organizations that he accuses of exhibiting a partisan bias against him. His tactics have included limiting media access, disparaging journalists who are critical of his administration, and filing lawsuits that seek substantial damages.
The Journal reported that the letter in question, which Trump allegedly penned in 2003 to celebrate Epstein’s 50th birthday, featured a provocative illustration and references to a shared “secret.” Trump has stated that he severed ties with Epstein before the financier’s 2008 conviction for solicitation of prostitution involving a minor.
The Epstein connection
The case surrounding Epstein, who was found dead in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, has cast a long shadow over Trump’s presidency. Epstein’s death was determined to be a suicide, but it has fueled numerous conspiracy theories. The ramifications of Epstein’s actions have reverberated through various influential circles worldwide, often connecting back to high-profile individuals like Trump.
In recent months, the U.S. Justice Department has released extensive documentation related to Epstein, in which Trump is mentioned, though he has yet to face any formal accusations of misconduct.