Donald Trump has refiled a $10bn lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over a story alleging he sent a letter to Jeffrey Epstein, after a Florida judge dismissed the case last month. The legal action targets the Journal's publisher Dow Jones, reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo, and owner Rupert Murdoch.
The lawsuit claims the newspaper tarnished Trump's reputation by describing a card to Epstein as bearing his signature. Trump's legal team argues the letter does not exist, stating: 'The reason for those failures is that Defendants did not have access to any such letter when the Article was published, which is a fact because no authentic letter or drawing exists.'
In April, Judge Darrin P Gayles dismissed the original case 'without prejudice', ruling that Trump's team had not adequately argued actual malice. The judge noted significant evidence that the Journal sought to verify the letter's authenticity, and that Trump's denial did not prove the paper acted with serious doubts.
The amended complaint alleges the Journal omitted Trump's denial, though the original story noted he denied writing the letter. It also cites comments from Ghislaine Maxwell, who said she did not recall the letter. Trump's team claims Murdoch told Trump 'I will handle it' after being informed the story was untrue.
A spokesperson for Trump's legal team called it a 'powerhouse lawsuit', stating: 'The President will continue to hold those who mislead the American People with Fake News and smears accountable for their actions.' Dow Jones has been contacted for comment.
The lawsuit seeks $10bn in compensation, though the basis for that figure remains unclear. Trump has previously won settlements against CBS and ABC News, and still has outstanding lawsuits against the New York Times and the BBC.
