News Summary
A federal judge in Florida has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, calling it excessively lengthy and irrelevant. Judge Merryday instructed Trump to submit a revised complaint within 28 days, limited to 40 pages. The lawsuit alleged that the newspaper’s articles promoted a false narrative about Trump during the election period. The New York Times expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing that the lawsuit was more political than legal. This case continues to highlight Trump’s contentious relationship with the media.
Tampa, Florida – A federal judge in Florida has dismissed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against The New York Times. The ruling was issued by Judge Steven Merryday on Friday, September 22, 2025. The lawsuit, which spanned 85 pages, was described by the judge as overly lengthy and filled with irrelevant details that did not pertain to the legal issues at hand.
Judge Merryday emphasized that a legal complaint is not an appropriate venue for political statements or personal grievances. He instructed Trump to submit an amended complaint within 28 days, limiting it to a maximum of 40 pages. The original lawsuit included its first count of defamation only on page 80, which the judge found to be excessive.
In the lawsuit, Trump named four journalists from The New York Times, including Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, and referenced a book along with three articles that were published in the two months leading up to the last presidential election. Trump contended that the articles promoted a “fact-free narrative” about his celebrity status, a claim that the newspaper characterized as meritless. The publication noted that the lawsuit aimed to intimidate independent reporting rather than present serious legal claims.
The response from The New York Times was one of satisfaction, as they welcomed the ruling from the court. The spokesperson for the publication indicated that the lawsuit had the characteristics of a political document rather than a legitimate legal filing.
Judge Merryday’s ruling also highlighted the importance of legal procedures, reinforcing that lawsuits must adhere to established norms rather than serve as platforms for personal expression. This dismissal adds to Trump’s ongoing legal challenges, as he has initiated multiple lawsuits against various media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, concerning different issues.
Notably, Trump has settled defamation lawsuits with other media outlets in the past, including ABC News and CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” His legal team expressed intentions to continue pursuing the lawsuit against The New York Times as directed by the judge.
As this case unfolds, it is likely to attract attention not only for its implications on media freedom and political discourse but also for the precedent it may set regarding defamation claims involving public figures.
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Additional Resources
- WPTV: Federal Judge Tosses Trump’s $15B Defamation Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Defamation
- Florida Phoenix: Trump’s Defamation Suit Against Pulitzer Board
- Google Search: Trump Defamation Lawsuit
- Nevada Current: Coalition of AGs Sue Trump
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Freedom of Speech
