Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal was tossed by a Miami federal judge, ending another high‑profile battle between the former president and the media. Judge Darrin Gayles ruled the claim lacked the “actual malice” required to defeat the paper’s First Amendment shield. The case stemmed from a 2023 story that Trump had penned a birthday letter for Jeffrey Epstein.

Journalists Emma Tucker and reporters at Dow Jones said their investigation involved contacting Trump, the Justice Department and the FBI before publishing. The paper cited congressional files that reportedly contained the same letter. Trump’s attorneys claimed the document was fabricated, but the judge found the newsroom’s due diligence met the high bar for defamation claims against the press.

Dow Jones celebrated the ruling, asserting the story’s accuracy and the paper’s editorial rigor. Trump’s legal team vowed to refile, citing a promise to pursue “Fake News” cases. The decision reinforces the high threshold for defamation against major newspapers, underscoring the robust First Amendment protections that shield investigative reporting from costly litigation.

Market watchers note that the verdict may influence how media conglomerates manage litigation risk. With Reuters and The New York Times already facing Trump‑led suits, the outcome signals that courts will scrutinize claims of intentional falsehoods closely. Investors in News Corp and Dow Jones may see short‑term volatility, but the long‑term impact remains limited.