US Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter

A US judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and media magnate Rupert Murdoch over a report that Trump sent a bawdy birthday letter to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump had sued for $10 billion after the newspaper published a story detailing the president’s alleged 2003 letter to Epstein, which apparently featured a drawing of a naked woman.

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

The report attracted scrutiny of Trump from both Democrats and members of his own Republican Party, who rejected the president’s attempts to dismiss the saga as a hoax and called for the full release of legal files on Epstein.

In his ruling, Judge Darrin Gayles dismissed Trump’s lawsuit with prejudice, meaning Trump cannot file an amended version of the suit, as he did after Gayles rejected an initial version in April.

The judge wrote that Trump had failed on both occasions to establish that the defendants “acted with actual malice.”

The House Oversight Committee had published a copy of Trump’s alleged birthday note to Epstein, which consists of a short 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 Trump’s signature, which takes the place of pubic hair on the nude outline.

Epstein Files

Trump’s supporters have been obsessed with the Epstein case for years and have maintained that powerful figures were being protected from scrutiny over Epstein’s sex trafficking network, particularly individuals linked to the Democratic Party and Hollywood.

The president fought for months to prevent the Department of Justice from releasing the so-called “Epstein Files” but eventually signed a law passed by Congress requiring their publication.

Trump’s name appears repeatedly in the documents, but he denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any criminal offences connected to the affair.

High-profile figures, including Britain’s former Prince Andrew, have been publicly disgraced over their associations with Epstein.

Ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, which will decide control of Congress, Democrats have reportedly spent more than $35 million on Epstein-related advertisements.

With Republicans holding majorities in the House and Senate, Trump has so far faced relatively little political opposition since taking office, giving the courts a key role in limiting his actions.

In a separate case, a new lawsuit was filed to prevent Trump’s attempt to erect a huge triumphal arch in front of the iconic military cemetery outside Washington.

The proposed arch is one of several projects launched by Trump to put his personal stamp on the capital, including a ballroom at the White House and a major renovation of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

A US federal judge had pushed back against government claims that the planned arch, which Trump said would house drones and snipers, was needed for national security.

“It’s something (the) region needs militarily, and I think aesthetically also,” Trump told reporters. “We’re going to see if we can get it built.”