A federal judge on Monday dismissed former President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, ruling that Trump failed to demonstrate the newspaper acted with “actual malice” when reporting on a birthday card allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein. The judge stated that Trump had not “plausibly alleged” the Journal published the article with intent to harm or with reckless disregard for the truth.
The lawsuit stemmed from a 2025 WSJ article that referenced an alleged birthday card Trump sent to Epstein, the financier accused of sex trafficking who died in prison in 2019. Trump denied sending the card and accused the Journal of defaming him to damage his reputation.
Legal analysts noted that the case hinged on the “actual malice” standard established in New York Times v. Sullivan, which requires public figures like Trump to prove the defendant knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. “The bar for defamation cases involving public figures is extremely high,” said one legal expert, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The judge’s ruling underscores that.
The dismissal marks another legal setback for Trump, who has filed several defamation lawsuits against media outlets in recent years. None have succeeded in court, with judges often citing the “actual malice” standard as a significant hurdle.
Looking ahead, the ruling could deter similar lawsuits against major media organizations. “This decision reaffirms the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment,” said a media law professor. “It’s a win for press freedom, but it also highlights the challenges public figures face in pursuing defamation claims.