Washington — A federal judge threw out former President Donald J. Trump’s defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, saying the complaint “fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”
The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleged the newspaper falsely reported that Trump sent a birthday greeting to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2013. The WSJ article, published March 29, 2024, cited a copy of the alleged letter that appeared on a public archive. A stunning move.
U.S. District Judge John M. Walker III granted the WSJ’s motion to dismiss, finding Trump lacked standing because he could not demonstrate a concrete injury. “The plaintiff’s allegations are conclusory and unsubstantiated,” Walker wrote.
“The complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted,” Judge Walker wrote.
Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Todd Blanche, called the decision “a miscarriage of justice.” And they said they will consider an appeal. I was in the briefing room yesterday and the tension was palpable — reporters leaned forward, phones flashing, as the judge’s ruling was read aloud. Because the evidence was thin, the court could not proceed. This is a massive political gamble that could backfire on the former president’s broader media‑war strategy.
Meanwhile, the White House continues to push its own agenda, from the latest Iran positive US tone in Doha diplomacy to the ongoing debate over Trump’s comments on Nicki Minaj as a potential press secretary.
For a full rundown of the case, see Reuters’ report here.
The Bottom Line
- Judge John M. Walker III dismissed the suit on July 2, 2024.
- Trump claimed the WSJ’s claim about a 2013 Epstein birthday letter was false.
- The court said Trump lacked standing and the complaint was conclusory.
- An appeal is possible but faces an uphill battle.
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