A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from adult film actress Stormy Daniels that claimed US President Donald Trump defamed her when he suggested she had lied about being threatened to keep quiet about their relationship.
Federal District Judge James Otero in Los Angeles had indicated during a late September hearing that he was sceptical of Daniels's claim on First Amendment grounds.
The ruling ordered Daniels, whose given name is Stephanie Clifford, to pay Trump's legal fees.
Trump lawyer Charles Harder cheered Otero's decision and said the amount of legal fees owed would be determined later.
"No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, Mr Avenatti, can truthfully characterise today's ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels," Harder said in an emailed statement.