Story perspectives

Judge Dismisses Trump’s $10 Billion Defamation Suit Against WSJ

4/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal.
Gayles ruled Trump did not prove malice in the article.
The July article included a letter allegedly signed by Trump, which he denied writing.
The judge allowed Trump to amend his complaint and to refile.
The ruling adds to Trump’s challenges managing Epstein files.

History

Historical Context

The 1964 Supreme Court case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan established that public officials must prove "actual malice" to win defamation suits, significantly protecting press freedom. This ruling arose from a libel suit by Alabama's L.B. Sullivan against the Times over inaccuracies in a civil rights advertisement. Recently, Judge Darrin P. Gayles dismissed Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal, reflecting this enduring legal standard.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal.
Gayles ruled Trump did not prove malice in the article.
The July article included a letter allegedly signed by Trump, which he denied writing.
The judge allowed Trump to amend his complaint and to refile.
The ruling adds to Trump’s challenges managing Epstein files.

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