Trump Files Fresh $10 Billion Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal

Former President Donald Trump has filed a fresh $10 billion defamation lawsuit against *The Wall Street Journal* for a second time, this time refiling after a federal judge dismissed his initial claim in May. The lawsuit targets a July 2025 *Journal* report alleging Trump submitted a letter and explicit drawing to Jeffrey Epstein’s 2003 birthday album. Judge Darrin Gayles had previously ruled Trump could not use the discovery process to support his defamation claims, stating the newspaper did not act with actual malice. Trump’s legal team argues the *Journal* falsely portrayed him as the author of the letter and drawing without sufficient proof. However, the House Oversight Committee had already released Epstein estate materials in September 2025, including the birthday book with Trump’s alleged signature and drawing, undermining Trump’s claims. Critics suggest the lawsuit may be a strategic move to coerce the *Journal* into a settlement or influence coverage by its Murdoch family owners. This is part of a broader pattern by Trump, who has pursued defamation lawsuits against other media outlets, including a $15 billion claim against *The New York Times* and a $10 billion suit against the BBC. Trump has previously directed settlement funds toward his presidential library, raising questions about the motives behind these legal actions. The latest filing follows multiple judicial setbacks, with experts questioning the viability of his case against the *Journal*. The *Journal*’s report referenced a 2003 letter and drawing allegedly sent by Trump to Epstein, a convicted sex offender. While Trump’s legal team insists the publication lacked evidence, the House Oversight Committee’s release of the materials contradicts his claims. Legal analysts remain skeptical about Trump’s chances of success, given prior rulings and the lack of clear evidence of malice by the *Journal*. Trump’s repeated lawsuits against media organizations have drawn criticism, with some viewing them as attempts to suppress unfavorable reporting. The *Journal* has not yet responded to the refiled lawsuit, but past cases suggest Trump may seek financial compensation rather than a judicial victory. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how defamation claims involving public figures and media outlets are handled in U.S. courts.