“Actual malice” in defamation law has nothing to do with ill will. It is defined as publishing something (other than parody) that one knows is false, or publishing with reckless disregard for the truthfulness of the publication. “Reckless” is a jury question.
I don’t know I’d think Trump would have the best lawyers in the world advising him here. Wasn’t there stuff published about him?
How is publishing something (other than parody) that one knows is false, or publishing with reckless disregard for the truthfulness of the publication, not ill will? The very definition of malice, in defamation law as well as elsewhere, is ill will, including reckless disregard.