Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's $10 Billion Defamation Suit Against Wall Street Journal With Prejudice

A federal judge in Florida dismissed President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch with prejudice on Saturday, ending Trump's second attempt to hold the publication accountable in the same court for its reporting on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The suit centered on a Wall Street Journal article that described a "bawdy" 50th birthday letter to Epstein that the newspaper said bore Trump's signature. Trump has adamantly denied sending the letter.

U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles, who first dismissed the case without prejudice in April 2026, ruled again that Trump failed to plausibly allege the defendants published the article with "actual malice," the legal standard public figures must meet to prevail in defamation claims. In his ruling, Gayles wrote: "As with his first attempt, he has failed," adding that the amended complaint "attempts to manufacture flaws with the investigation." Because the dismissal is now with prejudice, Trump cannot file another amended version of the suit in the district court, though he retains the option to seek appellate review.

A spokesman for Trump's legal team said the president "will continue to press forward" and "hold those who mislead the American People with Fake News and smears accountable," signaling an appeal is likely.