US judge dismisses Trump lawsuit over Epstein letter

US judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter

Updated / Sunday, 1 Nov 2026 14:04

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A US judge has dismissed President Donald Trump's defamation case against the Wall Street Journal and media magnate Rupert Murdoch over a report that he sent a birthday letter to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Trump had sued for $10 billion after the newspaper's story was published in July 2025 detailing the president's alleged 2003 letter to Epstein, which apparently featured a drawing of a naked woman.

Mr Murdoch is the founder of News Corp. which owns the Wall Street Journal.

The report piled scrutiny on Mr Trump from both Democrats and his own Republican party, who rejected the president's attempts to downplay the saga as a hoax and called for a full release of legal files on Epstein.

In the ruling, Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed Mr Trump's lawsuit with prejudice, meaning Mr Trump cannot file an amended version of the suit, as he did when Judge Gayles turned down an initial version of it back in April.

The judge wrote that in bringing his defamation claim, Mr Trump had both times failed to establish that the defendants "acted with actual malice".

The House Oversight Committee last year published a copy of Mr Trump's alleged birthday note to Epstein, which consists of a short dialogue between "Donald" and "Jeffrey".

"We have certain things in common," says Donald, to which Jeffrey responds: "Yes, we do, come to think of it."

"Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?" asks Donald.

"As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you," says Jeffrey.

"A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret," the note ends, followed by Mr Trump's signature.

Epstein files

Mr Trump's supporters have been obsessed with the Epstein case for years and held as an article of faith that "deep state" elites were protecting a sex ring of Epstein associates, particularly in the Democratic Party and Hollywood.

The president fought for months to prevent the Department of Justice from releasing the so-called "Epstein Files" but eventually signed a law passed by Congress requiring their publication.

Mr Trump's name appears repeatedly in the documents, but he denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any criminal offenses connected to the affair.

High-profile figures including Britain's former prince Andrew have been publicly disgraced for their associations with Epstein.

Ahead of the 3 November US midterm elections which will decide control of Congress, Democrats have reportedly spent more than $35 million on Epstein-related advertisements.

With a Republican majority in the House and Senate, Mr Trump has so far enjoyed relatively little political opposition since taking office in January 2025, giving the courts a key role in limiting him.

In a separate case yesterday, a new suit was filed to prevent Mr Trump's attempt to erect a huge triumphal arch in front of the iconic military cemetery outside Washington.

That is one of a number of projects launched by Mr Trump in a bid to put his personal stamp on the capital, including a ballroom at the White House and a laborious renovation of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

On Friday, a US federal judge pushed back on government assertions that the planned arch - which Mr Trump has said would house drones and snipers - was needed for national security.

"It's something (the) region needs militarily and I think aesthetically also," Mr Trump told reporters late last night.

"We're going to see if we can get it built."