Judge dismisses Trump's lawsuit against WSJ over Epstein birthday book
A US judge has dismissed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal. The court ruled that the suit lacked merit and violated First Amendment protections for the press.
Why it matters
This ruling reinforces legal protections for investigative journalism and sets a precedent against using defamation suits to challenge critical reporting.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein posing for a photo together at Mar-a-Lago in 1997
A US judge has thrown out President Donald Trump's $10bn (£7.4bn) lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, ruling the suit was "grasping at straws".
Trump had sued the media outlet's parent company Dow Jones and its leader Rupert Murdoch last year after it reported on a letter allegedly written by Trump to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as part of a birthday book in 2003, before Epstein was charged with sex crimes.
Trump has denied writing or signing the letter, which included suggestive language and a drawing of the outline of a woman's body.
Judge Darrin Gayles threw out the case, finding the suit runs counter to the First Amendment, which protects freedom of the press.
Also covering this story
7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Judge dismisses Trump's lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein birthday book
‘Epstein Files’: U.S. Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against Wall Street Journal
'Grasping at straws': Judge dismisses Trump suit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter
Epstein letter row: Judge rejects Trump's $10 billion defamation suit against WSJ
Judge dismisses Trump suit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein birthday letter
Judge dismisses Trump’s $10 billion defamation suit over Jeffrey Epstein birthday card story
Judge Dismisses Trump's $10 Billion Lawuit Against Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in