Trump defamation suit dismissed

A US judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against an author who said Mr Trump was a millionaire not a billionaire.

Mr Trump sued Timothy O'Brien in 2006 after his book "Trump Nation: The Art of Being the Donald" placed Mr Trump's wealth at $150m-$250m.

Mr Trump - who said he would appeal against the decision - had argued his wealth was in the billions.

The judge said there was insufficient evidence to bring the case to trial.

Mr O'Brien based his estimate of Mr Trump's wealth on three confidential sources.

The judge said Mr Trump had failed to prove that Mr O'Brien knew that the information from the sources was false.

"O'Brien reasonably believed they were accurate," Judge Michele Fox said.

Mr Trump, who did not appear in court, claimed that his business and reputation had been hurt by the book.