Donald J. Trump refiled a $10 billion [1] defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal in a Manhattan federal court on May 28, 2026 [2].

The legal action highlights the ongoing tension between the former president and major media organizations regarding the reporting of his past associations. A victory or failure in this case could influence how public figures challenge journalistic reporting on historical ties to controversial figures.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York [3], centers on a report regarding Jeffrey Epstein. Trump said the publication defamed him by claiming he received a birthday card from Epstein [4]. He alleges that the report is false and has caused significant harm to his reputation [4].

Reports on the status of the litigation have varied. Some sources indicate the suit was recently refiled [2], while other reports state a judge has dismissed the $10 billion [5] claim [5].

The scale of the damages sought is one of the largest in a defamation case involving a news organization. The Wall Street Journal has not issued a detailed public response to the specific refiling as of this week.

Media commentators have noted the implications of such litigation on the press. "I think any attempt to strongarm the free press is one that should be resisted," Tom Slater said [6].

“Trump refiled a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal”

This case tests the legal threshold for defamation when reporting on the associations of high-profile public figures. Because the lawsuit involves a massive financial claim and a specific piece of evidence—a birthday card—the court's ruling will likely hinge on whether the reporting was factually accurate or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The conflicting reports regarding the suit's dismissal and refiling suggest a volatile procedural history in the Manhattan federal court.