By Gloria Nosa
A U.S. federal court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal, dealing a legal blow to the president’s challenge over a controversial article tied to late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The case revolved around a report that referenced a 2003 birthday card allegedly signed by Trump and sent to Epstein. The article described the card as containing suggestive elements, a claim Trump strongly denied, insisting the document was fabricated.
However, U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles ruled on Monday, April 13, that Trump’s legal complaint failed to satisfy the strict “actual malice” requirement necessary for public figures pursuing defamation claims. The judge explained that the newspaper had sought Trump’s response before publishing the story and included his denial, giving readers the opportunity to form their own judgment.
Judge Gayles also emphasized that Trump’s filing did not demonstrate that the newspaper knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth — a key legal standard in such cases.
Although the lawsuit was dismissed, the court granted Trump until April 27 to revise and refile his complaint. Trump later indicated on his Truth Social account that he intends to submit an amended version.
The ruling comes amid continued friction between Trump and major media organizations. Dow Jones & Company welcomed the court’s decision and reaffirmed confidence in the publication’s reporting.
Meanwhile, advocates for press freedom and some lawmakers voiced concern that the president’s lawsuits against media outlets could discourage critical reporting. The case also drew attention due to renewed interest in Epstein-related materials, including the reported release of the disputed birthday card from his estate by congressional investigators.
The dismissed lawsuit is one of several legal actions Trump has taken against media organizations, including The New York Times and BBC. While some disputes involving outlets such as ABC News and CBS News have ended in settlements over specific editorial disagreements, the latest ruling underscores the legal challenges public officials face when pursuing defamation claims.
With the April 27 deadline approaching, attention now turns to whether Trump’s legal team can present additional evidence strong enough to revive the case.
