A Florida judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against the Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, related to a report about a lewd drawing allegedly sent to financier Jeffrey Epstein. The ruling, issued on Monday, found that the complaint failed to adequately allege actual malice, a key standard in defamation cases involving public figures.
Background of the Legal Dispute
Trump initiated the lawsuit last summer, targeting a Wall Street Journal article published on July 17, 2025, titled "Jeffrey Epstein's Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album. One Was From Donald Trump." The story centered on a bawdy letter and drawing that Trump purportedly sent to Epstein in 2003, which Trump has vehemently denied as fake. Notably, Trump personally called Rupert Murdoch, a top media ally and owner of News Corporation, which publishes the Journal, in an attempt to halt the story's publication.
Judge's Ruling and Legal Standards
Judge Darrin P. Gayles, in his detailed ruling, emphasized that the complaint did not meet the high bar for defamation claims by public figures, which requires proof of actual malice—meaning the publisher knew the information was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The judge noted that the Wall Street Journal had conducted significant due diligence to verify the authenticity of the drawing before publication. He stated, "The fact that Trump claimed it was fake does not mean that the Journal acted with serious doubts about the story."
Furthermore, the judge pointed out that Trump's legal team failed to provide evidence of special damages, which are often necessary in such cases. As a result, both counts of the lawsuit were dismissed, though Trump has been granted until April 27 to refile with additional evidence demonstrating that the Journal published the story while knowing it was false or likely false.
Reactions from Both Sides
In response to the dismissal, a spokesperson for Trump's legal team issued a statement affirming their commitment to refile the lawsuit. "President Trump will follow Judge Gayles's ruling and guidance to refile this powerhouse lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and all of the other defendants," the spokesperson said. "The president will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in fake news to mislead the American people." Trump echoed this sentiment on his Truth Social platform, calling it a "suggested re-filing" rather than a termination.
Conversely, a spokesperson for Dow Jones, the News Corp division behind the Wall Street Journal, expressed satisfaction with the decision. "We are pleased with the judge's decision to dismiss this complaint. We stand behind the reliability, rigor and accuracy of The Wall Street Journal's reporting," the spokesperson stated.
Broader Context of Trump's Media Lawsuits
This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of legal actions by Trump against media entities. He currently has an active lawsuit against the BBC over the editing of a documentary, and his administration has faced multiple lawsuits from media companies concerning First Amendment issues. These cases highlight ongoing tensions between public figures and the press, particularly in an era of heightened political polarization.
The dismissal of this case underscores the legal challenges in proving defamation against well-known individuals, as courts often require clear evidence of malicious intent. As Trump prepares to refile, the outcome could set a precedent for future media-related litigation involving high-profile figures.
