Judge dismisses Trump’s defamation lawsuit against WSJ publisher

The president alleged an article about a bawdy Epstein birthday letter was defamatory

Posted Monday, April 13, 2026 10:03 am

Corinne Ramey | The Wall Street Journal

A federal judge on Monday dismissed President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against the publisher of The Wall Street Journal.

U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles, based in Miami, Fla., ruled Trump hadn’t made a valid legal claim that he was defamed by an article about a letter to financier Jeffrey Epstein bearing Trump’s name.

“Because President Trump has not plausibly alleged that defendants published the article with actual malice, both Counts must be dismissed,” wrote Gayles, who was appointed by President Barack Obama. The judge said Trump could file a new amended lawsuit if he wishes, and gave him until April 27 to do so.

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Judge dismisses Trump’s defamation lawsuit against WSJ publisher

The president alleged an article about a bawdy Epstein birthday letter was defamatory

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