Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's $15 Billion Lawsuit Against New York Times
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, criticizing it as decidedly improper and impermissible
due to its length and content. The judge gave the president the opportunity to refile within 28 days, but stipulated that the new complaint had to be under 40 pages.
Background and Context
President Trump filed a lawsuit against the Times, accusing the newspaper of serving as a mouthpiece
for the Democratic Party and making an illegal campaign contribution
to his opponent Kamala Harris in 2024. The suit named a book and an article written by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig focusing on Mr. Trump's finances and his pre-presidency starring role in television's “The Apprentice.”
Key Developments
U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday, presiding over the case in Tampa, Florida, dismissed the lawsuit on grounds of being overly lengthy and laden with unnecessary details. He rebuked the suit for containing just two counts of defamation — appearing on pages 80 and 83 respectively — despite its 85-page length. The judge criticized its flowery descriptions of Trump and its overly political language, stating a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective
or a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally.
Judge Merryday found that Trump’s lawsuit “unmistakably and inexcusably” violated the court’s rules by featuring “repetitive”, “superfluous” and “florid” allegations and details. He deemed the long-winded content to be tedious and burdensome
.
Implications or Reactions
This dismissal is the latest development in a series of legal actions taken by Trump against major media organizations. Over the past year, the president has forced settlements with ABC News and CBS News. Trump, who announced the lawsuit on his Truth Social network, wrote that the suit against The New York Times was one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers in the History of our Country.
Conclusion and Current Status
The lawsuit, for now, has been tossed out, though Trump has been given 28 days to file a new complaint, provided it adheres to the court's rules requiring “short, plain, direct” claims. The judge's dismissal serves as a reminder of the stringent rules of procedure that govern legal proceedings, and sets a precedent for future cases that seek to use the court as a platform for political or personal invective.