US Judge Throws Out Trump’s Lawsuit Tied to Epstein Letter

A high-stakes legal fight between President Donald Trump and one of America’s most influential newspapers ended abruptly in federal court, after a judge threw out the president’s defamation lawsuit over reporting tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A US judge dismissed Mr Trump’s case against the Wall Street Journal and media magnate Rupert Murdoch, which had targeted a report alleging the president sent Epstein a birthday letter.

Mr Trump sought $10 billion in damages after the Wall Street Journal published a July 2025 story describing what it said was a 2003 letter to Epstein that apparently included a drawing of a naked woman.

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

The Journal’s report intensified pressure on Mr Trump not only from Democrats but also from within his own Republican party, where lawmakers dismissed his efforts to characterize the matter as a hoax and demanded the full release of legal records connected to Epstein.

In his decision, Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed Mr Trump’s lawsuit with prejudice, preventing him from filing a revised complaint — a step Mr Trump previously took after Judge Gayles rejected an earlier version of the case in April.

Judge Gayles wrote that, in both attempts, Mr Trump did not meet the standard required for his defamation claim, failing to show the defendants “acted with actual malice”.

The note consists of a short dialogue between ‘Donald’ and ‘Jeffrey’

The House Oversight Committee last year released a copy of what it described as Mr Trump’s birthday note to Epstein, presenting it as a brief 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

The report piled scrutiny on Mr Trump from both Democrats and his own Republican party

For years, many of Mr Trump’s supporters have fixated on the Epstein case, embracing the belief that “deep state” elites were shielding a network of Epstein associates — particularly among Democrats and in Hollywood.

Mr Trump spent months battling to block the Department of Justice from publishing the so-called “Epstein Files”, but he ultimately signed legislation passed by Congress that required the documents to be made public.

His name appears repeatedly in the released materials, though he denies wrongdoing and has not been charged with any criminal offenses related to the matter.

Other prominent figures have seen their reputations collapse over links to Epstein, including Britain’s former prince Andrew.

With the 3 November US midterm elections looming — contests set to determine which party controls Congress — Democrats have reportedly poured more than $35 million into advertising tied to Epstein.

Since taking office in January 2025, Mr Trump has faced relatively limited political resistance due to Republican control of both the House and Senate, a dynamic that has placed added weight on the courts as a check on his agenda.

In another legal dispute yesterday, plaintiffs filed a new lawsuit seeking to block Mr Trump’s effort to build a massive triumphal arch in front of the iconic military cemetery outside Washington.

The arch is part of a broader set of initiatives Mr Trump has promoted to leave a personal imprint on the capital, alongside plans for a White House ballroom and an extensive renovation of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

On Friday, a US federal judge questioned government claims that the proposed arch — which Mr Trump has said would contain drones and snipers — was justified on national security grounds.

“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.”