A U.S. judge dismisses Trump's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over Epstein reporting

Updated 2026-11-02 · told from many outlets at once

A US judge dismissed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit by Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal over a 2003 report about a letter allegedly from him to Jeffrey Epstein. The case stemmed from a story published in a guest book for Epstein's 50th birthday, which included a sexually suggestive drawing and a birthday message. Trump denied writing the letter and claimed it defamed him, seeking $10 billion in damages. The judge ruled Trump failed to prove actual malice and dismissed the suit with prejudice, citing the 1964 New York Times precedent and finding the journalists acted in good faith.

• A US judge dismissed a billion dollar claim from Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal.
• The judge ruled that Trump failed to establish actual malice in the newspaper's reporting.
• U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed the suit with prejudice.
• The lawsuit concerned a story about a sexually suggestive letter related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Trump denied writing the letter and called the story false, malicious, and defamatory.
• The judge stated Trump was clinging to any argument.
• Trump sought compensation of ten billion dollars.
• The judge cited the US Supreme Court's 1964 judgment in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan.
• The letter was in a guest book for Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday.
• Trump's team refiled the lawsuit seeking $10 billion.
• The US president sued the media outlet in July after a report about a letter to Epstein.
• The judge determined the journalists conducted proper investigation and acted in good faith.
• The Florida judge did not rule on the letter's authenticity.

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