Former U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated a $20 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), its owner Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters. The lawsuit stems from a July 17 WSJ report alleging that Trump signed a sexually suggestive 2003 birthday letter to financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denies the authenticity of the letter, labeling it a “fake” and asserting that the publication harmed his reputation and finances.
However, legal experts have pointed out that the lawsuit may face immediate dismissal due to non-compliance with Florida’s five-day notice requirement for defamation suits involving media outlets. Trump’s legal team claims they informed the WSJ of the alleged falsity before publication, but experts argue that this may not satisfy the notice law or meet the “actual malice” standard required for public figures in defamation cases.
The case is being presided over by U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles, and comparisons are being drawn to a dismissed 2020 defamation case by Dan Bongino for similar procedural issues. Dow Jones, the parent company of WSJ, stands by the accuracy of its reporting and plans to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.
This lawsuit adds to a series of legal actions Trump has taken against media outlets, including previous cases against CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. While some of these cases were dismissed, others resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements. Legal experts suggest that Trump’s repeated litigation efforts could deter media coverage due to the financial toll of legal defense.
As the case progresses, it may have significant implications for defamation law and media practices in the United States. Observers will be closely monitoring how the courts address the procedural challenges and the substantive claims made by Trump in this high-profile lawsuit.
