A federal judge in Miami dismissed Donald Trump's defamation suit over Wall Street Journal reporting on an alleged Epstein letter, but allowed an amended filing.
A federal judge in Miami has dismissed Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch and others over reporting tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles ruled that the complaint did not plausibly allege actual malice, according to reporting on Monday. The dismissal was without prejudice, giving Trump until April 27 to file an amended complaint.
Dow Jones, the Journal’s parent company, said it stood behind the reporting.
The case centered on the Journal’s account of an alleged Epstein birthday letter. While the court dismissed the suit for now, Trump still has the option to try again with a revised filing.
The ruling is a setback for Trump, but it does not fully end the case unless he fails to refile or the court rejects an amended complaint.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.