The Wall Street Journal was dismissed by a US federal court after Donald Trump filed a defamation suit against it. This case was centered around a report that linked Trump with convicted criminal Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump filed his lawsuit at a federal court in Florida. Trump demanded damages of at least $10 Billion. This claim was based on a 17th July report. The report claimed that Trump’s face appeared on a 2003 birthday book for Epstein. The report also stated that the drawing included in the message was a female body.
Judge’s ruling
Darrin Gayles, US District Judge dismissed the case. He said that Trump did not meet the legal standards required for defamation.
Judge explained to Trump that he did not show that Trump’s newspaper had acted “actually malice.” To meet this legal standard, the judge must find that either the newspaper knew that its information was incorrect or that it acted recklessly disregarding the truth.
The court ruled that Trump did not provide enough evidence in support of this claim. The court dismissed this case.
His legal team has already indicated plans to move forward again. The legal team of his client has indicated that they plan to continue. His attorney described the case as strong and stated that they would continue to fight what they believe is misleading reporting.
Background to the Report
The Wall Street Journal reported that a note on Epstein’s birthday linked Trump to Epstein. The newspaper didn’t publish the image, but lawmakers shared it later.
The article described the details that matched later released images. Trump maintained, however, his position.
The Legal Standard for Actual Malice
Public figures are subject to a heavier burden of proof under US law. To win, they must prove “actual malice”.
They must prove at least two points.
- This statement is false
- Publisher knew or had doubts that it was not true
The judge ruled that Trump failed to meet the standard in this case.
