Summary (tl;dr)

A federal judge has dismissed a $3.8 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) against The Washington Post, ruling that the company failed to provide evidence the newspaper acted with "actual malice."

Essential Background

In May 2023, Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind the Truth Social platform, sued The Washington Post for defamation. The lawsuit targeted a May 13, 2023, article titled "Trust linked to porn-friendly bank could gain a stake in Trump's Truth Social," which reported on a financial entity with connections to adult entertainment payment services that stood to gain a stake in TMTG. The Post's article also raised questions about whether this potential role was properly disclosed to shareholders or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). TMTG sought $3.8 billion in damages, accusing the Post of a "years-long crusade" and publishing an "egregious hit piece." Under U.S. law, public figures suing for defamation must prove "actual malice," meaning the publisher knew the information was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

The Full Story

On July 2, 2026, U.S. District Judge Thomas Patrick Barber, a Trump appointee based in Tampa, Florida, dismissed Trump Media's lawsuit against The Washington Post. Judge Barber granted the Post's motion for summary judgment, concluding that TMTG "failed to present evidence that would allow a jury to find by clear and convincing evidence" that the newspaper published the allegedly defamatory statements with actual malice. The Post had issued a correction to its 2023 article on May 22, 2026, clarifying that TMTG did not pay a $240,000 loan referral fee, but noted the original reporting was based on information available at the time. Trump Media has indicated it will evaluate whether to appeal the ruling.

Why It Matters

This dismissal marks another legal defeat for entities associated with Donald Trump in their lawsuits against news organizations. The ruling reaffirms the high legal bar of "actual malice" that public figures must overcome to win defamation cases in the United States. The case underscores the ongoing legal disputes between Trump-affiliated businesses and media outlets over news coverage, with TMTG, which operates Truth Social and has reported financial losses, continuing to position itself against traditional media.

Geographic Location

• Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, United States (federal judge issued ruling)