MIAMI, Florida — A federal judge dismissed President Donald Trump’s amended defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal’s publisher, Rupert Murdoch and other defendants with prejudice October 31.
United States District Judge Darrin P. Gayles ruled that Trump had not plausibly alleged actual malice: publication with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth.
The case concerned the Journal’s reporting about a purported Trump birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denies writing it. The court’s order did not determine authorship or whether the reporting was true.
Dismissal with prejudice prevents refiling the complaint; it does not eliminate appellate review. No appeal has been verified for this report. Trump’s legal team told CBS News that he would continue pursuing the case.
Attorneys’ fees remain unresolved. The judge allowed defendants 30 days to seek them.