Judge ends Trump's attempts to sue Wall Street Journal over Epstein reporting

Reuters ^ | 10/31/2026

[Responsibility2nd]

WASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's second attempt to sue the Wall ​Street Journal was dismissed with prejudice on ‌Saturday, ending his pursuit of a defamation lawsuit over the news outlet's reporting on his ties to ​sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

• The US District Court ​for the Southern District of Florida held ⁠that Trump again did not show actual ​malice, a requirement for a public figure's defamation ​claim. "As with his first attempt, he has failed," Judge Darrin P. Gayles wrote.
• Gayles highlighted the paper's "thoughtful and detailed ​investigation" and reporters' efforts to seek comment ​from Trump and other officials before publishing the article. "Grasping at ‌straws, ⁠the Amended Complaint attempts to manufacture flaws with the investigation," Gayles wrote.
• Trump's lawyers argued that the story should have been dropped after he ​denied involvement ​with Epstein. "That ⁠is not what the actual malice standard requires and runs afoul of ​the First Amendment," Gayles wrote.
• Trump had ​refiled ⁠the lawsuit seeking at least $10 billion in damages. Saturday's dismissal with prejudice means the case cannot ⁠be ​brought before the court again.

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TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: epstein; wallstreetjournal; wsj

[Responsibility2nd]

Key Details of the Ruling

• The Decision: U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed the amended lawsuit with prejudice, barring district court refiling while leaving room for appeal. [1, 2]

• The Reason: The dismissal hinged on Trump's failure to plausibly establish "actual malice," the legal standard requiring proof that the publisher acted with reckless disregard or knowledge of falsity. [1, 2]

• Background: The dispute arose from a July 2025 report regarding a 50th birthday album for Epstein containing a contested note attributed to "Donald". Following an initial dismissal without prejudice in April 2026, Trump's amended complaint against Dow Jones, News Corp, and related executives was ultimately rejected. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

• Reactions: Trump’s legal team indicated plans to continue pursuing the litigation, while Dow Jones and News Corp representatives did not immediately provide comment. [1, 2]

[frank ballenger]

Kids in school. 🏫

“And to the judges which we serve, one Nation, under God, with liberty and justice if the judges grant them.”

[frank ballenger]

Some judges as children thought of trying to become President someday but then they decided to aim higher up.

[LLBeet]

Left-wing newspapers always show actual ​malice toward DJT. Requiring proof is inane.

[MtnClimber]

These judges need to be accused of Epstein involvement. It does not matter if it is true. It is just a political maneuver like they are doing. Payback and all of that.

[thegagline]

The more you know…

[Responsibility2nd]

I’m Shocked!

/sarc

[Toenail Soup]

In a perfect world, it would be very interesting to read the unredacted Epstein files.

Realistically, we know that simply will never happen.

It’s been a debacle from the beginning. The public deserves to know the truth.

Thank you for the thread!
Stay well and stay safe.