Judge Dismisses Trump’s Lawsuit Against NY Times
A federal judge in Florida dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times on Friday.
Trump claimed that the Times was trying to damage his reputation and his 2024 presidential campaign with “actual maliciousness.” US District Judge Stephen Maryday, appointed by George H.W. Bush, criticized the lawsuit for its “boring and burdensome” language and instructed Trump’s legal team to revise the complaint.
Maryday emphasized that the complaint shouldn’t serve as a public relations tool or a platform for political narratives. He stated, “This action will begin and continue, align with the rules of procedure, and end in a professional and dignified way.”
The judge required Trump to submit a revised lawsuit within 28 days, limiting it to no more than 40 pages.
Maryday referenced rules from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which necessitate that plaintiffs provide a clear, concise statement showing a valid basis for their lawsuit. He noted that Trump’s 85-page complaint fell short by claiming only “two simple deeds.”
Additionally, the judge found many allegations in the lawsuit to be “inappropriate and unfounded,” including claims that the Times participated in “sustained election interference,” alleging that the newspaper swayed the 2024 election outcome.
Trump initially filed the lawsuit asserting that various articles and books by Times reporters, including Las Butenor and Suzanne Craig, presented “false” information about him, aiming to tarnish his reputation. He pointed out that a book titled “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Wastes His Father’s Fortune and Creates the Illusion of Success” inaccurately claimed he was discovered by its author, suggesting an unfounded portrayal of his rise to fame.
The lawsuit also referenced the editorial committee’s endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris in September 2024, where Trump stated he would “dismantle and dismantle the system that strengthened our country.”
In a related development, CBS and its parent company Paramount agreed to pay $36 million to resolve Trump’s lawsuit connected to a “60 Minutes” interview with Harris in October 2024.
