A US federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, delivering a legal setback to the president in his high-profile dispute with the newspaper.

Judge Darrin Gayles, who is presiding over the case in Miami, Florida, granted the Journal’s request to dismiss the lawsuit on Saturday, November 1, 2026.

The court’s decision determined that Trump had failed to establish the legal standard of actual malice required to pursue a defamation claim involving a public figure. Under US law, actual malice generally requires demonstrating that a statement was published either with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for its truth.

The lawsuit was part of Trump’s legal action against the newspaper over its reporting, which he alleged had damaged his reputation. Trump had sought $10 billion in damages, making it one of the most significant defamation claims involving a US president.

A spokesman for Trump’s legal team indicated that the president intends to challenge the ruling through an appeal.

The dismissal represents a significant development in Trump’s ongoing legal disputes with media organizations. The president has repeatedly criticized news outlets over coverage he considers inaccurate or damaging and has pursued legal action against several media organizations.

The latest ruling provides a legal victory for The Wall Street Journal, although the dispute may continue if Trump’s legal team proceeds with its planned appeal.