Federal Judge Dismisses Trump’s $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times

A federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times. The ruling came from Judge Steven D. Merryday in Florida’s Middle District. The case was rejected on procedural grounds for violating court filing rules.

President Trump filed the defamation lawsuit earlier this week. He accused the newspaper of biased coverage and acting as a mouthpiece for Democrats. The judge found the 85-page complaint improperly lengthy and argumentative.

Judge Rules Trump’s NYT Lawsuit “Improper and Impermissible”

Judge Merryday delivered a blunt assessment of the lawsuit. He called the filing “decidedly improper and impermissible” under federal rules. The complaint far exceeded standard page limits for legal documents.

Federal rules require complaints to be short, plain statements of factual allegations. Trump’s filing spanned 85 pages with extensive arguments and evidence previews. The judge emphasized that complaints should not serve as megaphones for public relations.

According to Reuters, the judge granted Trump four weeks to file a proper amended complaint. The new filing must not exceed 40 pages. This allows the former president to pursue his case with a correctly formatted legal document.

Background of Trump’s Defamation Claim Against Newspaper

Trump announced the lawsuit through his Truth Social platform. He called The New York Times “one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers” in American history. The $15 billion figure represented what Trump called the “largest illegal campaign contribution ever.”

The lawsuit specifically referenced the Times’ endorsement of Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. Trump accused the publication of decades of false reporting about him. The complaint alleged systematic defamation and libel against the former president.

Legal experts had questioned the lawsuit’s viability from its announcement. Defamation cases require proving actual malice when involving public figures. This establishes a high legal barrier that is difficult to overcome in court.

The Times had stood by its reporting following the lawsuit’s announcement. The newspaper has consistently defended its coverage of Trump throughout his political career. This case represents another chapter in their longstanding contentious relationship.

The dismissal represents another legal setback for the former president, though he may refile the lawsuit properly. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between political figures and media organizations. The outcome reinforces that legal procedures apply equally to all litigants regardless of status.

Thought you’d like to know

Why was Trump’s lawsuit against the New York Times dismissed?

The judge dismissed the case because the 85-page complaint violated federal filing rules. Courts require short, plain statements of facts rather than lengthy argumentative documents. The ruling was based on procedural grounds rather than the case’s merits.

Can Trump still sue the New York Times after this dismissal?

Yes, the judge gave Trump four weeks to file a proper amended complaint. The new filing must be 40 pages or less and comply with federal procedural rules. The dismissal doesn’t prevent pursuing the case with correct formatting.

What was Trump seeking in his lawsuit against the Times?

Trump sought $15 billion in damages for alleged defamation and libel. He accused the newspaper of biased coverage and acting as a Democratic mouthpiece. The sum represented what he called an “illegal campaign contribution” through negative coverage.

How often do courts dismiss cases for procedural reasons?

Procedural dismissals are relatively common in federal courts. Judges regularly enforce filing rules to maintain efficiency and fairness. These dismissals typically allow plaintiffs to correct errors and refile their cases properly.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, BBC News