Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Media's $3.8 Billion Defamation Suit Against The Washington Post

In July 2026, U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber in Florida granted summary judgment to The Washington Post, dismissing Trump Media’s defamation suit seeking $3.8 billion. The judge found the company failed to present clear and convincing evidence of actual malice.

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The suit arose from a May 2023 Washington Post story linking a porn-friendly bank to a potential stake in Truth Social. Trump Media claimed the article was part of a conspiracy and sued for $3.8 billion. The company has previously filed defamation actions against The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and others, many of which were dismissed.

CNN

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) operates Truth Social and reported under $1 million revenue in Q1 2026. The Washington Post published the contested article; reporter Drew Harwell authored it. Judge Thomas Barber presided over the case.

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• May 2023 – Washington Post story published.

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• 2023 – Trump Media files suit.

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• April 2026 – Amended complaint filed, later withdrawn.

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• May 2026 – Post issues correction noting two false assertions, including a $240,000 loan fee claim.

CNN

• July 7 2026 – Judge Barber dismisses suit; July 13 pretrial conference cancelled.

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The case required proof of actual malice—knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard. The judge ruled Trump Media could not meet this burden. The suit sought $3.8 billion, far exceeding the company’s sub-$1 million quarterly revenue.

CNN

The Washington Post said it was pleased with the ruling and would review the forthcoming written order. Trump Media’s spokesperson said the company would consider an appeal and maintain its effort to hold the media accountable, noting a jury should decide the issue.

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Legal commentators note that Trump’s defamation suits often end in dismissal, suggesting a pattern of using litigation for publicity rather than substantive redress.

CNN

The dismissal underscores the high evidentiary bar for public-figure defamation claims and illustrates the difficulty of obtaining multi-billion-dollar judgments against news outlets.

CNN

• “We are pleased with the court’s decision and look forward to reviewing its written order upon release,” — Washington Post spokesperson

CNN

• “After three years, The Washington Post finally admitted its harmful story was false,” — Trump Media spokesperson

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• “The Pretrial Conference set for July 13, 2026, is cancelled,” — Judge Thomas Barber

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• “Discovery in the ongoing litigation has established that Trump Media didn’t pay a loan referral fee of $240,000, as was stated in the article and was based on The Post’s reporting at the time of publication.” — The Washington Post correction

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