Trump Re-files $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times
Former President Donald Trump has re-submitted a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, just a month after a federal judge dismissed his original complaint, criticizing its length and content.
The new 40-page document was filed in Florida’s Middle District Court on Thursday and reiterates Trump’s allegations that the Times and its journalists defamed him through their coverage of his business and television career.
This lawsuit also targets Penguin Random House, which published the book “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Spent His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success,” authored by Times reporters Suzanne Craig and Russ Buettner.
This re-filing follows an order from U.S. District Judge Stephen Merriday on September 19, which rejected the original submission as “patently inappropriate and impermissible.” The judge stated that the 85-page complaint violated federal procedural rules, emphasizing the need for a “short and plain statement” of the claims.
Merriday pointed out the impracticality of the original filing, which claimed only two counts of defamation while stretching over 85 pages. He noted its many repetitive parts and described it as burdensome, suggesting it wasn’t the right venue for accumulating evidence.
The updated complaint eliminates unnecessary redundancy but maintains the same broad scope. Trump continues to seek $15 billion in compensatory and punitive damages, as outlined in the new filing.
The case originates from a series of Times articles published in 2024, and the aforementioned book investigated Trump’s financial dealings and his family’s real estate ventures.
Details regarding an alleged tax avoidance scheme tied to his father, Fred C. Trump, are included, highlighting how Trump’s narrative was shaped through his television persona on “The Apprentice.” Trump’s legal team contends that such portrayals misrepresent him as more of a Hollywood creation than a genuine businessman.
The revised filing outlines numerous allegedly defamatory statements drawn from Times reports and the book. While it maintains the names of Craig, Buettner, and Times White House correspondent Peter Baker as defendants, it excludes reporter Michael S. Schmidt, who was part of the original complaint.
Trump first announced the lawsuit via social media on September 15, condemning the Times as one of the most corrupt newspapers in U.S. history. His original complaint alleged that the paper’s reporting caused billions of dollars in reputational harm.
The Times responded to the renewed lawsuit, stating, “This lawsuit is without merit,” and reaffirmed their commitment to independent journalism despite perceived attempts at intimidation.
This defamation suit is just one in a series of legal actions Trump has initiated against prominent media outlets. He has previously settled multimillion-dollar claims with ABC News and CBS News over defamation and alleged election interference.
Additionally, Trump’s legal battles include a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal for reporting linking him to investor Jeffrey Epstein, whose owner is Rupert Murdoch, the chairman emeritus of News Corp, the parent company of the Post.
In 2023, Trump’s social media company also filed a complaint against the Washington Post for $38 billion in damages.
The Times has won recognition, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2019, for its investigative reporting on the Trump family’s tax practices, a focus that has continued to generate public interest.
Legal experts suggest that Trump may face significant challenges in this lawsuit.
The Post has reached out for comments from both the White House and the Times.
