A federal judge in Miami dismissed Trump's defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal with prejudice on Saturday. The ruling blocks Trump from filing another suit on the same claims in federal court.
District Court Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that Trump failed to show the defendants acted with actual malice when they published a July 2025 story about a purported birthday letter from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. Public figures like Trump must prove actual malice to win a defamation case, under Supreme Court precedent.
"As with his first attempt, he has failed," Gayles wrote in his 20-page ruling. The judge said the Journal had conducted a "thoughtful and detailed investigation" and rejected Trump's argument that the paper should not have published after Trump denied writing the letter.
Trump was seeking $10 billion in damages from Murdoch and the Journal, which Murdoch owns through News Corp. A Dow Jones & Co. spokesperson said, "We're pleased with the court's decision."
Trump's legal team confirmed to CNBC that the president plans to appeal. "President Trump will continue to press forward in his powerhouse lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and all of the other defendants," a spokesman said. The spokesman added Trump "will continue to hold those who mislead the American People with Fake News and smears accountable for their actions."
Gayles rejected Trump's argument that accepting his claim would block unfavorable reporting by public figures, which "runs afoul of the First Amendment" that protects freedom of speech and press.
The July 17, 2025 Journal article described a letter bearing Trump's signature included in an album of letters Epstein received for his 50th birthday. Trump has said the letter is not authentic and denied creating it.