A federal judge in Miami dismissed President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, determining that Trump’s legal team did not meet the required standard to prove actual malice in the newspaper’s coverage of a letter related to Jeffrey Epstein.
In a 17-page ruling issued by Judge Darrin Gayles of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the judge wrote that Trump “came nowhere close” to demonstrating the Journal knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for its truthfulness. This standard of actual malice is necessary for a public figure to succeed in a defamation case.
Judge Gayles stated that Trump’s complaint contained only “conclusory allegations” that the Journal “had contradictory evidence and failed to investigate,” which were insufficient to establish actual malice. The judge ordered both counts against the newspaper dismissed but allowed Trump the opportunity to amend and refile the lawsuit by April 27, giving him a chance to present additional allegations.
The original suit targeted the Wall Street Journal, its parent company News Corp, the company’s CEO, specific reporters involved in the story, and Rupert Murdoch, News Corp’s chairman emeritus. It followed a July 2025 report revealing that a birthday book prepared for Epstein’s 50th birthday contained a message with Trump’s signature below the outline of a nude woman. The Journal described the message as “bawdy.”
Trump dismissed the article as “FAKE” and filed a $20 billion lawsuit, asserting the story was false. House lawmakers later subpoenaed a redacted version of the birthday book from Epstein’s estate, which included the contested letter. At the time, then-White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated it was “very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it.”
Judge Gayles declined to make any factual findings regarding whether the documents obtained from Epstein’s estate matched those referenced in the Journal’s article.
A spokesman for Trump’s legal team said the president intends to follow the judge’s guidance and refile the lawsuit, calling it a “powerhouse lawsuit” aimed at holding accountable those spreading “Fake News.” The White House had not provided an additional comment on the ruling as of this report.
Why it matters
The dismissal highlights the high legal threshold public figures must meet in defamation cases to prove actual malice—knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth. As a result, media organizations retain some structural protections when reporting on controversial figures or sensitive topics. The decision also underscores ongoing legal challenges faced by Trump in efforts to challenge media coverage tied to Jeffrey Epstein-related materials.
Background
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was known for associating with prominent figures, including Donald Trump. The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 story reported on an Epstein birthday book featuring letters from friends, including an explicit drawing with Trump’s alleged signature. Trump has consistently denied the accuracy of the depiction and any involvement. The case stems from broader controversies and investigations surrounding Epstein’s network and the treatment of his associates in media and legal arenas.
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