The Digester
politics

Judge dismisses Trump suit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter

A federal judge in Miami ruled President Trump did not meet the legal standard of actual malice in his defamation suit over a Wall Street Journal story on a Jeffrey Epstein birthday book, dismissing the complaint but allowing him to amend it by April 27.

Apr 13th 2026 · United States

Insights

  • Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed the case for failure to plausibly allege actual malice.
  • Actual malice requires proof that the publisher knew statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
  • The judge gave Trump leave to file an amended complaint by April 27.
  • The dispute stems from a 2025 Journal story about a 2003 Jeffrey Epstein birthday book that included a letter beneath a nude outline attributed to Trump, which he denies and for which he sought $20 billion.

Sources