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Politics
Apr 13, 2026

Trump Media Withdraws Defamation Lawsuit Against The Guardian Over Russian‑Linked Funding Claims

AI Summary
Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) has dismissed its defamation case against The Guardian and two co‑defendants without prejudice, ending a legal battle over the outlet’s reporting that federal prosecutors were probing $8 million in payments linked to Russian interests. The withdrawal, filed in Florida’s 12th judicial circuit, leaves the underlying allegations unresolved and may allow TMTG to refile later.

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of the Truth Social platform, has formally withdrawn its defamation claim against The Guardian and two additional defendants. The suit had challenged a March 2023 Guardian report alleging that federal prosecutors were investigating $8 million in payments received by TMTG from entities with connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The dismissal was filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota County, Florida, on Friday. By withdrawing without prejudice, TMTG retains the option to re‑file the case at a future date.

The Guardian’s original article said New York prosecutors opened a criminal inquiry into money wired to TMTG via the Caribbean by two parties that appeared to be partially controlled by an associate of a Putin ally. At the time, TMTG was preparing for a merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC) that would have created a company valued at roughly $1.3 billion.

Feeling vulnerable to accusations of receiving funds from a potentially hostile source, TMTG sued for libel, asserting that the Guardian’s statements were false and defamatory. In November, Judge Hunter W. Carroll dismissed the case against Guardian News and Media Ltd., Penske Media Corporation (owner of Variety), and former TMTG founder‑turned‑whistleblower Will Wilkerson, citing a failure to prove actual malice.

Carroll, appointed by former Florida Governor Rick Scott, allowed TMTG to file an amended complaint, which the company did in January. A hearing was scheduled for the following Tuesday, but TMTG’s sudden withdrawal halted the proceedings.

No reason was provided for the abrupt change. The Guardian has been contacted for comment.

In April 2024, a lawyer for Trump sent The Guardian a letter calling its reporting “false” and a “hoax,” insisting that litigation would continue until the outlet retracted the story.

Despite the legal tussle, there is no evidence that TMTG or its executives knowingly concealed the origin of the loans. No criminal charges have been brought against the company.

Guardian News and Media responded, welcoming the voluntary dismissal and emphasizing that its reporting was based on meticulous fact‑checking, credible sources, and thorough documentation, while characterizing TMTG’s claims as meritless.

The dismissal marks a rare retreat for Trump’s legal team, which has pursued an increasingly aggressive strategy against media outlets during his second presidential term, securing several high‑profile settlements with broadcasters such as ABC and CBS.

Trump is currently pursuing a $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times and a $10 billion claim against the BBC, alleging editorial manipulation of his speeches. Both cases have been described by the defendants as groundless and potentially chilling to press freedom.

The Guardian’s investigation focused on two emergency loans TMTG received in December 2021 and February 2022, when the company faced a financial crisis after its merger with DWAC was delayed by SEC and FINRA investigations. Wire‑transfer records traced a $2 million payment through Paxum Bank, a Dominica‑registered institution, and a subsequent $6 million payment involving the ES Family Trust, whose trustee also served as a Paxum director.

Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York examined Paxum Bank’s ownership, identifying a link to Anton Postolnikov, a relative of Aleksandr Smirnov, an associate of Putin.