Judge dismisses Trump’s defamation case over Epstein letter report

US District Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed the amended complaint in Miami on 31 October, after rejecting an earlier version in April. The dismissal is “with prejudice”, meaning Trump cannot file the same complaint again in the court, although he can appeal.

Gayles ruled that Trump had not set out sufficient facts to plausibly allege that the defendants acted with “actual malice” – the legal standard for a public figure’s defamation claim. It requires a showing that a statement was published knowing it was false or with reckless disregard for whether it was true.

The judge noted that the Journal had sought comment from Trump and his team, the Justice Department and the FBI before publication, and had included Trump’s denial. He described the reporting as a “thoughtful and detailed investigation”.

The newspaper reported in July 2025 that a letter bearing Trump’s name appeared in an album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003. It described typed text framed by the outline of a naked woman. Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the picture, calling it fake.

Trump sued the newspaper’s publisher, Dow Jones, its parent company, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson and two Journal reporters. His original complaint sought at least $10 billion in damages and other relief.

A US congressional committee later released documents obtained from Epstein’s estate, including a birthday book with a page matching the Journal’s description. Gayles said he could not determine at this stage whether it was the same document the newspaper had reviewed, or whether Trump wrote or signed it. He did not decide whether the newspaper’s statements were true.

Nieuws.nl reported that Trump’s legal team said he would appeal.