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Trump’s $15B defamation lawsuit against New York Times tossed
A federal judge dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, calling the complaint overly long and filled with irrelevant, burdensome language. Judge Steven Merryday wrote that a lawsuit is not a vehicle for political or public relations speeches, and gave Trump 28 days to refile within a 40-page limit.
A Florida federal judge on Friday tossed out a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against The New York Times.
Court documents obtained by The Associated Press showed the lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Florida.
Judge tosses lawsuit filed by Trump against The New York Times
What they're saying:
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday ruled that Trump’s lawsuit was overly long and was full of "tedious and burdensome" language that had no bearing on the legal case.
It named four Times journalists and cited a book and three articles published within a two-month period before the last election.
The New York Times building is seen on September 16, 2025 in New York City. U.S. (Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The lawsuit named a book and an article written by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig that focuses on Trump’s finances and his pre-presidency role in "The Apprentice." Trump said in the lawsuit that they "maliciously peddled the fact-free narrative" that television producer Mark Burnett turned Trump into a celebrity — "even though at and prior to the time of publications defendants knew that President Trump was already a mega-celebrity and an enormous success in business."
The lawsuit also attacked claims the reporters made about Trump’s early business dealings and his father, Fred.
RELATED: Trump suing The New York Times for $15 billion alleging defamation
In addition, Trump cited an article by Peter Baker last Oct. 20 headlined "For Trump, a Lifetime of Scandals Heads Toward a Moment of Judgment." He also sued Michael S. Schmidt for a piece two days later featuring an interview with Trump’s first-term chief of staff, John Kelly, headlined "As Election Nears, Kelly Warns Trump Would Rule Like a Dictator."
The Times had said the lawsuit was meritless and an attempt to discourage independent reporting.
"We welcome the judge’s quick ruling, which recognized that the complaint was a political document rather than a serious legal filing," spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said Friday.
In a Truth Social post announcing the lawsuit, Trump accused The New York Times of lying about him and defaming him, saying it has become "a virtual ‘mouthpiece’ for the Radical Left Democrat Party."
Judge gives Trump 28 days to file amended complaint
What's next:
The judge gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint and said it should not exceed 40 pages. The lawsuit was 85 pages.
"A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally," Merryday wrote in a four-page order. "This action will begin, will continue, and will end in accord with the rules of procedure and in a professional and dignified manner."
Trump's legal team plans to continue the lawsuit "in accordance with the judge’s direction on logistics," spokesperson Aaron Harison said.
Trump previously sued ABC News, CBS News
Big picture view:
Trump has also previously sued ABC News and CBS News’ "60 Minutes," both of which were settled out of court by the news organizations’ parent companies.
Trump also sued The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch in July after the newspaper published a story reporting on his ties to wealthy financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
*Editor's Note: The Wall Street Journal shares common ownership with Fox. Fox has not independently confirmed the truth of the Wall Street Journal’s reporting.
The Source: This story was written from Los Angeles. The Associated Press, previous FOX Local reporting contributed.