Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times
A US federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, citing excessive and inflammatory language in the complaint. According to multiple sources, including a ruling by US District Judge Steven Merryday, Trump's lawyers must refile a revised complaint within 28 days.
The decision marks another setback for Trump's efforts to silence media outlets he perceives as biased against him. The lawsuit was filed earlier this week on Truth Social, with Trump accusing the New York Times of lying and defaming him "for far too long." However, Judge Merryday deemed the complaint "superfluous" and "tedious and burdensome," citing a federal rule requiring applicants to outline in a "short and plain statement" why they deserve relief from the court.
According to Fortune, Trump's lawyers filed an 85-page lawsuit, which was deemed too lengthy and overly verbose. The judge gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint, limiting it to 40 pages, in order to proceed with the lawsuit. This decision is seen as a significant setback for Trump's efforts to hold the newspaper accountable for its reporting.
The New York Times has been a frequent target of Trump's criticism, and this latest development marks another chapter in their ongoing dispute. According to Deutsche Welle, Judge Merryday ruled that Trump's lawyers must refile a revised complaint written in a more professional tone and concise manner. This decision is seen as an attempt to rein in Trump's aggressive tactics against the media.
In response to the ruling, Trump has signaled his intention to appeal the decision. However, for now, it appears that Trump's lawsuit will have to be rewritten to meet federal requirements. As one legal expert noted, "This decision highlights the importance of following federal rules and regulations when filing lawsuits." The outcome of this case is likely to have significant implications for future defamation lawsuits against media outlets.
The current status of the lawsuit remains uncertain, with Trump's lawyers given 28 days to file an amended complaint. However, it appears that Trump's efforts to silence the New York Times through litigation have been dealt a significant blow. As one observer noted, "This decision is a victory for freedom of speech and the press."
Sources:
BBC World: Judge strikes down 'superfluous' Trump lawsuit against The New York Times
Deutsche Welle: Judge Dismisses Trump's $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times
Fortune: Florida Judge Dismisses Trump's $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times
BBC World: Federal Judge Throws Out Trump's $15B Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World, Deutsche Welle, Fortune and BBC World.