Trump defamation suit against Murdoch, WSJ over Epstein letter dismissed with prejudice
President Donald Trump denied writing a birthday letter to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which was the subject of a 2025 Wall Street Journal article.
TL;DR
- A federal judge dismissed Donald Trump's amended defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal.
- The lawsuit concerned a 2025 article about a purported birthday letter from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.
- The judge ruled Trump failed to plausibly allege "actual malice" by the newspaper.
- The dismissal is "with prejudice," meaning Trump cannot refile the suit in federal court.
- Trump was seeking $10 billion in damages.
- The judge stated the Journal conducted a "thoughtful and detailed investigation."
- Trump's legal team confirmed plans to appeal the ruling.
- The article described a letter bearing Trump's signature, included in an album for Epstein's 50th birthday.