A federal judge in Florida has dismissed a revised $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against the Wall Street Journal regarding a news story about an Jeffrey Epstein birthday card alleged to have been sent over two decades ago. U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that the amended complaint failed to clear the high legal threshold required to prove the media outlet published the article with actual malice. Because this marked the second attempt to present the claims, the judge ordered the dismissal with prejudice.
The original legal action began last July after the publication ran a report detailing a birthday book compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003. According to the reporting, the volume included a card from Trump, who maintained a friendship with Epstein during that period. The contested item featured a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman along with a typewritten note depicting a hypothetical conversation with Epstein, who was subsequently charged with sex trafficking.
The Legal Battle and Actual Malice
In his revised complaint, Donald Trump argued that the publication falsely claimed he drew the figure and signed his name in a manner mimicking pubic hair, which he stated caused immense reputational and financial damage. The lawsuit criticized the paper for initially omitting an image of the card and for failing to conduct adequate interviews, including questioning Maxwell directly. Attorneys representing Donald Trump maintained that the paper should have known the story was false simply because Trump denied it.
However, legal representatives for the Wall Street Journal countered that the revised complaint missed the mark by a wide margin regarding the legal standard of actual malice. They emphasized that the publication actively investigated the matter, noted Trump's denial directly within the article, and pointed out that sending a bawdy letter does not constitute defamation. Furthermore, the defense argued that the story was substantially true, noting that Epstein's estate later publicly released a copy of the card matching the paper's description.
Key Facts of the Case
- Plaintiff: President Donald Trump
- Defendant: The Wall Street Journal
- Judge: U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles
- Lawsuit Amount: $10 billion defamation claim
- Core Subject: A 2003 birthday book compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Jeffrey Epstein
- Outcome: Dismissed with prejudice after two attempts
Dispute Over Signatures and Authenticity
Throughout the proceedings, the authenticity of the birthday card remained a central point of contention. While Donald Trump and the White House maintained that the document is a fake and that the signature does not match his distinctive full signature, opposing evidence emerged. Democrats compiled various documents showing Trump signing only his first name over the years, which closely resembled the signature on the card. Additionally, during an interview with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Maxwell acknowledged assembling the birthday book, though she stated she could not recall if Trump contributed to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the lawsuit dismissed?
U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles found that Donald Trump failed to plausibly allege the Wall Street Journal acted with actual malice, which is the high legal standard required for public figures in defamation cases.
What was the article about?
The Wall Street Journal published a story about a birthday book assembled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, which included a card allegedly sent by Donald Trump.
Is the birthday card real?
Donald Trump and the White House maintain the card is a fake and that the signature is not his, while Epstein's estate later released a physical copy matching the newspaper's description.