The challenge aimed to make it easier for public figures — including billionaires and politicians — to sue media.

The 1964 precedent bolsters the ability of the press to hold wealthy and high-powered individuals to account. To win a defamation suit, a public figure must show that the outlet either published something it knew to be false, or went ahead with reckless disregard for whatever the truth may be — a standard known as “actual malice.”

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a case brought by casino mogul and Trump donor Steve Wynn that would have challenged a landmark decision.