A federal judge in Florida dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal. U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that Trump’s suit did not meet the standard of actual malice, which requires proof that a false statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
Gayles noted that the Journal had contacted Trump, Justice Department officials, and the FBI for comment before publishing the story about a controversial birthday card allegedly sent by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denied any involvement with the card, which depicted a naked woman and a conversation with Epstein.
Despite Trump’s claims that the Journal had contradictory evidence and failed to investigate, Gayles found that the publication had attempted to verify the story. The judge did not determine whether Trump actually wrote the card, leaving that question unresolved.
Trump’s legal team intends to refile the lawsuit following the judge’s decision to dismiss the case without prejudice, giving Trump another opportunity to plead his case. In response, a spokesperson for the Wall Street Journal defended the publication’s reporting integrity.
Trump’s relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in jail while facing sex-trafficking charges, has come under scrutiny. Trump has distanced himself from Epstein, citing a falling out in the early 2000s. Former President Bill Clinton also mentioned a conversation with Trump regarding Epstein years ago.
While Epstein preyed on numerous women and girls, Trump has not faced any charges related to Epstein’s crimes and maintains his innocence.
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