A Florida judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against The Lawsuit is based upon a report published in July 2025 alleging that Trump sent a sexually suggestive letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 as part of a birthday album.
- Trump denied the authenticity of the letter, calling it fabricated, and had attempted to block publication before the story was released.
- The court found that the newspaper did not publish the report knowing it was false or with serious doubts about its accuracy, a key requirement in defamation cases involving public figures.
- The judge also noted that the publication made efforts to verify the material, and that Trump’s denial alone does not establish actual malice.
The lawsuit also named Murdoch as a defendant, a notable move given his media and political ties to Trump. The publisher welcomed the ruling, reaffirming confidence in the accuracy of its reporting.
What’s Next?
Attention now turns to whether Trump’s legal team will refile the case with stronger evidence before the deadline, and whether the dispute could escalate into a broader legal battle with media organizations.
