Trump Revises Defamation Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter

Judge's Earlier Dismissal

The revised lawsuit now alleges that the Wall Street Journal acted maliciously on multiple points. Trump is again seeking damages in the billions of dollars, a demand he also made in the initial complaint.

The controversy centers on a 2025 Wall Street Journal report about a letter bearing Trump's name, allegedly sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. Trump has repeatedly denied involvement with the letter and claims he was defamed by its publication.

Jeffrey Epstein, a financier who operated a sex abuse ring over many years, died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal trafficking charges. An unknown number of women and girls were victimized by his network.

The Epstein Connection

The legal battle is part of a broader pattern of litigation by Trump against major news organizations. He has also filed multiple lawsuits against the New York Times in recent years.

Legal experts note that defamation claims by public figures face a high bar under U.S. law, requiring proof of actual malice — knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth. The amended complaint attempts to address the deficiencies identified by Judge Gayles.

The Wall Street Journal has stood by its reporting. A spokesperson for the newspaper declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Broader Legal Context

The case will now proceed with the revised allegations, though no hearing date has been set. The court will review whether the new filing sufficiently addresses the earlier shortcomings.

Trump's legal team argues that the newspaper's reporting caused significant reputational harm. The outcome could have implications for press freedom and the legal standards applied to defamation claims by elected officials.