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

US Judge Tosses Trump's $15 Billion New York Times Lawsuit A US federal judge on Friday threw out a $15 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against the New York Times, citing "decidedly improper and impermissible" language in the complaint. The decision marks the latest development in a growing number of legal actions from Trump targeting media organizations he claims are biased against him. According to court documents, US District Judge Steven Merryday ruled that Trump's lawsuit was too long at 85 pages, with "tedious and burdensome" language that had no bearing on the legal merits of the complaint. The judge gave lawyers 28 days to file an amended complaint "in a more concise and focused manner." The lawsuit, filed in a Florida court on Monday, alleged that three articles and a book by two New York Times reporters attempted to undermine Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. In a statement, the New York Times called the lawsuit an "attempt to stifle independent reporting" and said it was "pleased with the judge's decision." Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating that the judge had "misapplied the law" and that the lawsuit would be refiled. "We are confident that our complaint will ultimately prevail," Habba said. The decision has sparked debate among legal experts and media watchdogs. "This is a victory for press freedom and a reminder that public figures cannot use the courts to silence their critics," said Katie Townsend, a lawyer with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. However, some observers argue that the ruling may have unintended consequences. "While the judge's decision may be seen as a rebuke to Trump's tactics, it also highlights the challenges faced by public figures in defending themselves against media scrutiny," said Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University. The case is the latest in a string of high-profile lawsuits filed by Trump against media organizations and individuals he claims have wronged him. The outcome of this lawsuit may set a precedent for future cases involving public figures and media outlets. In related news, the New York Times has announced plans to continue its coverage of Trump's activities and policies despite the lawsuit. "We will not be intimidated or deterred by baseless lawsuits," said a spokesperson for the newspaper. The case is ongoing, with lawyers for both sides expected to file amended complaints in the coming weeks. *Reporting by Dw.*