Overview
- The Wall Street Journal and parent Dow Jones filed a motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint and asked the court to stay discovery in filings submitted on June 10–11.
- Defendants tell the court the article is true because the House Oversight Committee released a birthday‑book page from Epstein’s estate that they say matches the Journal’s description of the signature, message, and drawing.
- The Journal argues Trump’s revised complaint repeats rejected claims, does not plausibly allege that reporters knew the story was false or acted with reckless disregard, and therefore fails the 'actual malice' standard for public‑figure defamation.
- Trump refiled the $10 billion suit in late May, continues to deny signing the note, and has sought broad discovery including a deposition of Rupert Murdoch that the defendants want stayed while the dismissal motion is decided.
- If the court grants the Journal’s requests it could end the case and allow anti‑SLAPP fee claims, while a denial would open discovery and raise broader free‑press stakes about pretrial fishing expeditions and reporting protections.