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AT A GLANCE
- Federal Judge Steven Merryday struck down Donald Trump’s $15B defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.
- The court said Trump’s filing was “repetitive,” “superfluous,” and failed to meet basic legal standards.
- Trump has 28 days to amend and refile his complaint.
- The lawsuit is part of a broader White House campaign critics say is aimed at silencing the press.
Judge Tosses Trump’s $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times
A federal judge in Florida has dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, calling it improper and lacking a valid legal foundation.
US District Judge Steven Merryday ruled Friday that Trump’s filing violated the requirement for a “short and plain statement” explaining why relief should be granted. Instead, the judge said the 85-page complaint was filled with “florid” accusations and functioned more like a political screed than a legitimate court filing.
“A complaint is not a protected platform to rage against an adversary,” Merryday wrote, giving Trump 28 days to file an amended version.
Trump’s Claims and NYT’s Response
The lawsuit, filed in Tampa earlier this week, accused The New York Times of acting as a “mouthpiece” for Democrats and included Penguin Random House as a co-defendant for publishing a book written by Times reporters. Trump argued that the Times had smeared him for years and vowed to “hold the Fake News accountable” through legal action.
A spokesperson for Trump said his legal team will amend the complaint in line with the judge’s order. The Times dismissed the suit outright, calling it “without merit” and designed to intimidate independent reporting.
“It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting,” the paper said in a statement earlier this week.
Broader Media Crackdown
The lawsuit comes amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and media organizations. Critics argue the White House is pushing a crackdown on unfavorable coverage.
Just a day before the ruling, Trump suggested some TV networks should have their broadcast licenses revoked. The comments came after ABC suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, hours after administration officials threatened consequences if no action was taken.
Kimmel had mocked Trump supporters for downplaying the political leanings of a murder suspect tied to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing. Fellow hosts, including Stephen Colbert, blasted Kimmel’s suspension as “blatant censorship.”
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