Judge Dismisses Trump's Defamation Suit Against WSJ Over Epstein Letter

A federal judge in Florida dismissed President Donald Trump's defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal on Saturday. The suit targeted the paper's story on an alleged birthday letter from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.

• $10 billion in damages was the amount Trump sought in the suit.
• Defendants included Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch and two Journal reporters.
• Judge Gayles ruled Trump failed to show actual malice by the defendants.
• Trump denies writing the letter or signing the document.

Why it matters: Gayles wrote that a public figure's denial alone cannot stop journalists from publishing. He said otherwise any denial could block negative coverage.

• Gayles opened his order by citing New York Times v. Sullivan.
• Gayles dismissed Trump's first version of the complaint in April.

How 49 sources split on this story

What’s next: Gayles said dismissal with prejudice was appropriate because this was Trump's second attempt to plead the case.

• Trump cannot refile these claims against the defendants.
• Will Trump appeal the dismissal?
• Who wrote the letter that appeared in the 2003 birthday album?