Katie Johnson v. Trump Lawsuit, Case Dismissed in 2016, Withdrawn After Threats—No February 2026 Updates
As of February 2026, no active litigation exists involving Katie Johnson and Donald Trump.
The civil lawsuit filed in 2016 has been closed for nearly a decade with zero new legal developments. The case was dismissed in May 2016 in California federal court, refiled twice in New York, and voluntarily withdrawn on November 4, 2016—just days before the presidential election—after the plaintiff’s attorney stated she received threats.
No court ever ruled on the merits of the allegations, no settlement was reached, and the plaintiff has not been publicly seen or heard from since November 2016.
What the Katie Johnson Lawsuits Alleged
A woman using the pseudonym “Katie Johnson” filed three federal lawsuits in 2016 accusing Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual assault.
The first lawsuit was filed pro se (without a lawyer) on April 26, 2016, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Johnson sought to proceed in forma pauperis, meaning she requested permission to file without paying court fees due to financial hardship.
The six-page complaint alleged that in 1994, when Johnson was 13 years old, Epstein lured her to his Manhattan residence with promises of a modeling career. According to the lawsuit, Trump and Epstein sexually assaulted her at parties over a four-month period.
The complaint named Trump, Epstein, and Epstein associate Tiffany Doe as defendants. Johnson sought $100 million in damages.
May 2016 California Dismissal
On May 2, 2016, Judge Dolly M. Gee dismissed the California lawsuit entirely.
The court ruled the complaint failed to cite an actionable civil rights claim under federal law. Johnson had attempted to bring claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which protects against constitutional violations by government actors—not applicable to private citizens like Trump and Epstein.
The dismissal letter sent to Johnson’s listed address bounced back. Google Maps showed the address was a weathered shack in Twentynine Palms, California, near a Marine Corps base. The phone number Johnson provided didn’t accept calls.
A Sacramento News & Review reporter texted the number in May 2016 and received a response from someone identifying as “Katie Johnson,” but a subsequent phone call revealed it wasn’t her voice.
June and September 2016 New York Filings
Johnson refiled her lawsuit in June 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, this time using the pseudonym “Jane Doe.”
The New York complaint added affidavits from two additional pseudonymous witnesses. “Tiffany Doe” claimed she worked for Epstein recruiting underage girls and personally witnessed the assaults. A third anonymous witness stated Johnson had told them about the incidents when they occurred in 1994.
The June lawsuit was reportedly withdrawn months later without being served on the defendants. Johnson’s attorneys at the time were New Jersey patent lawyer Thomas Meagher and Florida attorney Cheney Mason, who had previously defended Casey Anthony.
A third version was filed on September 30, 2016, represented by the same attorneys. Celebrity lawyer Lisa Bloom was hired to handle media relations and arranged a press conference for November 2, 2016.
November 2016 Withdrawal After Threats
Johnson was scheduled to appear publicly for the first time at Bloom’s Los Angeles office on November 2, 2016—six days before the presidential election.
The press conference was abruptly canceled hours before it was set to begin. Bloom stated Johnson had received multiple threats and was “living in fear.”
On November 4, 2016, Johnson’s attorneys filed a Notice of Discontinuance voluntarily dismissing the lawsuit without explanation. Trump’s attorney Alan Garten called the allegations “completely frivolous and politically motivated.”
Attorney Evan Goldman later stated that on the morning of the planned press conference, Johnson discovered her phone had been hacked. He also said her car and cellphone were stolen that day. These incidents frightened her into withdrawing from the case.
What You Must Know About Dismissed Civil Lawsuits
Why Federal Courts Dismissed the California Case
Federal courts require plaintiffs to establish subject matter jurisdiction—the court’s authority to hear the case.
Johnson’s California lawsuit cited 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which only applies to constitutional violations by state actors like police or government officials. Private citizens like Trump cannot be sued under Section 1983.
For civil sexual assault lawsuits like cassie-lawsuit involving private parties, plaintiffs must bring claims under state tort law (assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress) in either state courts or federal courts with proper diversity jurisdiction.
What Voluntary Dismissal Means Legally
When a plaintiff voluntarily dismisses a lawsuit “without prejudice,” they retain the right to refile the same claims later.
Dismissal “with prejudice” permanently bars refiling. Johnson’s November 2016 dismissal did not specify with or without prejudice, though court records show no subsequent refiling attempts.
The voluntary dismissal means no court ever ruled on the credibility of the allegations, examined evidence, or made findings of fact.
What to Do Next If Following Historical Legal Cases
Where to Find Court Records From 2016
The California case was Case No. 5:16-cv-00797 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Court documents are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. The New York filings can be accessed through the Southern District of New York docket system.
Understanding Statute of Limitations for Old Claims
New York’s Adult Survivors Act created a one-year lookback window from November 2022 to November 2023 allowing civil claims for sexual assault that occurred years earlier, regardless of when the abuse happened.
That window closed November 24, 2023. Over 3,000 lawsuits were filed during this period. E. Jean Carroll’s successful lawsuit against Trump was filed under this law.
For any new claims filed today, plaintiffs must comply with current statute of limitations—typically 20 years in New York for adult sexual assault claims as of 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Katie Johnson?
Katie Johnson is a pseudonym used by an anonymous plaintiff who filed three federal lawsuits in 2016. Her true identity has never been publicly confirmed. Journalists who investigated found no independent verification of her identity. Her attorneys stated she is a real person but could not reveal her identity.
What happened to the Katie Johnson lawsuit?
The lawsuit was dismissed in California in May 2016 for failing to cite valid federal claims. Two subsequent New York filings were voluntarily withdrawn in June and November 2016. The final withdrawal came November 4, 2016, after Johnson’s attorney said she received threats. No court ruled on the allegations’ merits.
Is the Katie Johnson case still active as of February 2026?
No. The case has been closed since November 2016 with zero new filings or developments in nearly 10 years. No appeals were filed, no settlement was reached, and no new lawsuits have been brought by Johnson or anyone using that pseudonym.
What was Katie Johnson seeking in damages?
The California complaint sought $100 million in damages. The New York filings did not specify a dollar amount but sought compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.
Why did Katie Johnson withdraw her lawsuit?
Attorney Lisa Bloom stated Johnson received threats and was living in fear. Attorney Evan Goldman later said Johnson’s phone was hacked and her car and cellphone were stolen on the day of a planned press conference. She instructed her attorneys to dismiss the case and has not been heard from since.
Has anyone else filed similar lawsuits against Trump?
E. Jean Carroll filed a federal lawsuit in November 2019 accusing Trump of rape and defamation. She won her case in May 2023, with a jury awarding her $5 million. A second trial in January 2024 awarded her an additional $83.3 million in defamation damages. These cases involved different allegations and were successfully litigated to judgment.
What is the status of Epstein-related lawsuits?
Jeffrey Epstein died in August 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021 and is serving 20 years. Numerous civil lawsuits by Epstein’s victims have been filed and settled, but none involved Katie Johnson as a named plaintiff.
Disclaimer: This article provides legal information about dismissed historical litigation but does not constitute legal advice for specific situations.
Next Steps: If you experienced sexual assault and want to understand your legal options, consult an attorney specializing in sexual assault civil litigation like ylor-swift-sexual-assault-lawsuit to discuss statute of limitations, available claims, and your rights under current law.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Last Updated: February 2, 2026
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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