News Summary
A federal judge in Florida has dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, citing excessive length and irrelevant content. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday criticized the 85-page suit for being overly lengthy and filled with political rhetoric rather than legal issues. Trump has been ordered to submit a revised complaint within 28 days, limited to 40 pages. The Times described the lawsuit as meritless, raising questions about defamation claims and First Amendment protections for journalists.
Tampa, Florida – A Florida federal judge has dismissed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against The New York Times due to concerns about the lawsuit’s excessive length and irrelevant content. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday stated that Trump’s 85-page lawsuit was overly lengthy and filled with “tedious and burdensome” language that did not pertain to the legal issues at hand.
The judge emphasized that complaints should not serve as a venue for political rhetoric or public relations efforts. He ordered the former president to submit an amended complaint within 28 days, limiting the new document to no more than 40 pages. This ruling comes as part of a broader judicial approach to maintain efficiency and focus in courtroom proceedings.
In the original lawsuit, Trump named four journalists from The New York Times and referenced a book as well as three articles published by the newspaper over a two-month period leading up to the last election. The Times has characterized the lawsuit as meritless, alleging that it represents an attempt to suppress independent journalism.
Judge Merryday highlighted that the first defamation claim in the lawsuit did not even appear until page 80, suggesting that the document was cluttered with unnecessary information before addressing the central legal issue. He criticized the filing for exceeding the acceptable limits of legal expression, calling it a platform for “vituperation and invective.”
The lawsuit specifically criticized Times reporters, including Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, for their claim that television producer Mark Burnett played a significant role in making Trump a celebrity. This claim was seen as particularly contentious given Trump’s assertions that he was already a “mega-celebrity” prior to his involvement with Burnett.
In addition, the lawsuit contested how Trump’s early business dealings were portrayed and claimed that the role of his father, Fred Trump, was misrepresented in the articles. One article in question was written by Peter Baker and titled “For Trump, a Lifetime of Scandals Heads Toward a Moment of Judgment.” Another piece cited was authored by Michael S. Schmidt, which included insights from Trump’s first-term chief of staff John Kelly.
This is not the first time Trump has engaged in legal action against media outlets. He has previously filed lawsuits against ABC News, CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” The Wall Street Journal, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, with some cases being settled out of court.
As the legal process continues, the outcome of Trump’s appeal and his potential revised complaint will be closely watched, as it may clarify the balance between defamation claims and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment.
Judge Merryday’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s ongoing effort to maintain the integrity of the legal system while also recognizing the importance of free press and the public’s right to robust journalism.
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Additional Resources
- Pique News Magazine
- Wikipedia: Defamation
- PTI News
- Google Search: Donald Trump defamation lawsuit New York Times
- HuffPost
- Google Scholar: Trump defamation lawsuit
- Florida Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Free Speech
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
