Judge throws out Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times Bart Jansen, USA TODAY September 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM 1.
- - Judge throws out Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY September 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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WASHINGTON − A federal judge threw out President Donald Trump's $15 billion libel and defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, ruling it didn't provide a succinct complaint for the court to consider.
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday in Florida rejected the complaint but gave Trump 28 days to file another version of the lawsuit. Trump had accused the newspaper of defaming him with malicious accusations, but the lawsuit lacked "any legitimate legal claims," Merryday said.
"As every lawyer knows (or is presumed to know), a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective − not a protected platform to rage against an adversary," wrote Merryday, who was appointed by former President George H.W. Bush. "A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally or the functional equivalent of the Hyde Park Speakers' Corner."
Trump's lawsuit cited a series of newspaper articles, including an editorial before the 2024 presidential election that said he was unfit for office, and a 2024 book published by Penguin titled "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success."
"Defendants maliciously published the Book and the Articles knowing that these publications were filled with repugnant distortions and fabrications about President Trump," said the lawsuit filed Sept. 15.
The initial lawsuit ran 85 pages, but Merryday limited any new version to 40 pages.
The lawsuit named reporters Susanne Craig, Ross Buettner, Peter Baker and Michael Schmidt as defendants, along with The Times and Penguin Books. Craig and Buettner wrote the book.
The New York Times issued a statement welcoming the quick decision.
"We welcome the judge's quick ruling, which recognized that the complaint was a political document rather than a serious legal filing," the statement said.
In a statement posted to its website, The Times responded by saying the lawsuit has no merit.
"It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting," the statement read. "The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor and stand up for journalists' First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge throws out Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times
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