Epstein: Court rejects Trump's $10bn suit against Wall Street Journal

Miami: US President Donald Trump has suffered a major legal setback after a federal court permanently dismissed his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its publisher Dow Jones, media mogul Rupert Murdoch and other defendants over a report linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports said.

US District Judge Darrin P. Gayles ruled that Trump's lawyers had failed to establish that the defendants knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The judge criticised the amended complaint as an attempt to manufacture flaws in the newspaper's investigative reporting. The dismissal with prejudice prevents Trump from refiling the same lawsuit.

The case stemmed from a July 17, 2025, Wall Street Journal report alleging that a sexually suggestive letter bearing Trump's name appeared in a birthday album prepared for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003. The album was compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate. Trump denied writing the letter and accused the newspaper of fabricating the report to damage his reputation.

The court rejected Trump's argument that the newspaper should have abandoned the story following his denial, emphasising the First Amendment protections afforded to journalists.

An earlier version of the $10 billion lawsuit was dismissed in April 2026, but Trump was allowed to amend and refile his complaint.

Dow Jones welcomed the latest ruling, while Trump's legal team announced plans to appeal.

The ruling adds to Trump's legal battles against major media organisations, including The New York Times and the BBC, over their reporting.