Chicago – September 19, 2025
A federal judge has rejected former President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, ruling the case as “decidedly improper and impermissible.”
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday of Florida dismissed the 85-page complaint on the grounds that it violated federal procedural rules requiring a “short and plain statement” of claim.
The judge criticized the lawsuit for being tediously long, repetitive, and filled with superfluous content, noting it was not a proper vehicle for political invective or a public relations platform.
Judge Merryday granted Trump’s legal team 28 days to file a revised complaint, which must be limited to 40 pages or fewer. The lawsuit targeted the Times, several journalists, and Penguin Random House, alleging defamation over articles and a book examining Trump’s financial history and business dealings before his presidency.
The New York Times responded by deeming the lawsuit without merit and an attempt to stifle independent journalism. Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team indicated plans to amend and refile the complaint within the given timeframe. This development marks the latest chapter in Trump’s ongoing legal battles involving media scrutiny and defamation claims.
