A federal judge permanently dismissed Donald Trump's lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal regarding a report about Jeffrey Epstein.
A federal judge recently dismissed a major lawsuit filed by Donald Trump. The case targeted The Wall Street Journal and its parent company, Dow Jones.
Also, the judge rejected claims against executive Rupert Murdoch. Trump originally sought billions of dollars in damages over a specific news report.
Next, the dispute centered on a letter linked to Jeffrey Epstein. This document appeared in a birthday book for Epstein back in 2003.
However, Trump strongly denies writing or signing the note. The letter contained suggestive language and a drawing of a woman.
As a result, Judge Darrin Gayles threw out the case permanently. He ruled that the lawsuit violated First Amendment protections for a free press.
Meanwhile, the judge criticized the legal effort. He described the lawsuit as a desperate attempt to find flaws in the newspaper's work.
Furthermore, the court noted that the publication conducted a detailed investigation. The judge stated that the legal team failed to prove actual malice.
Actual malice is a high legal standard. It requires proof that a publisher knew information was false or acted with reckless disregard.
Still, Trump insisted the letter was a forgery. His lawyers argued that the newspaper should have ignored its own findings after his denial.
Finally, the judge rejected that legal argument. He explained that a public figure's denial cannot block journalists from reporting on negative stories.
The court emphasized that such a rule would damage free speech. Therefore, the case is now closed and cannot be filed again.