- A federal judge on Friday dismissed Donald Trump's defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for not providing a succinct complaint.
- Trump's legal team has been given four weeks to refile the complaint, which must not exceed 40 pages.
- The defamation suit, seeking $15 billion in damages, accused the newspaper of being a “virtual mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party.
A federal judge has thrown out President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, arguing that the 85-page suit doesn’t follow federal rules for filing civil complaints.
Judge Steven D. Merryday of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida said Friday that the suit “stands unmistakably and inexcusably athwart the requirements of Rule 8” of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, per CNN.
Merryday wrote that a complaint has to be a “short, plain, direct statement of allegations of fact.” He called Trump’s complaint against The New York Times “decidedly improper and impermissible.”
The judge has given Trump’s legal team four weeks to refile, but the new complaint must be 40 pages or less, per CNN.
What was the lawsuit about?
The defamation suit was filed on Sept. 15, claiming $15 billion in damages.
Merryday slammed the suit for only alleging two acts of defamation yet “Count I appears on page eighty, and Count II appears on page eighty-three,” per Fox News.
“As every lawyer knows (or is presumed to know), a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective — not a protected platform to rage against an adversary,” wrote Merryday, per USA Today. “A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally or the functional equivalent of the Hyde Park Speakers’ Corner.”
The lawsuit accused the newspaper of being a “virtual mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party. It also accused the paper of making an illegal “campaign contribution” to Kamala Harris during the 2024 election.
The complaint named multiple defendants: The New York Times Company, reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker and Michael S. Schmidt, and Penguin Random House, which published “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success,” which was authored by Craig and Buettner, per Fox News.
Trump’s lawsuit cited a number of newspaper articles, including an editorial which said Trump was unfit for office, that was published before the 2024 presidential election, as well as the aforementioned book.
“Defendants maliciously published the Book and the Articles knowing that these publications were filled with repugnant distortions and fabrications about President Trump,” said the lawsuit, per USA Today.
What both sides have said about the lawsuit being dismissed
A spokesperson for The New York Times stated that they welcome the judge’s quick ruling.
“This lawsuit has no merit,” the spokesperson said, per Fox News. “It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting. The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor and stand up for journalists’ First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people.”
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team gave a statement saying: “President Trump will continue to hold the Fake News accountable through this powerhouse lawsuit against the New York Times, its reporters, and Penguin Random House, in accordance with the judge’s direction on logistics,” per Fox News.
The lawsuit against The New York Times is not Trump’s first against a major media organization. It follows others against CBS News, ABC News and The Wall Street Journal.