Judge Dismisses Trump's $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times

A federal judge in Florida has dismissed President Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, citing the complaint's excessive length and improper content. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday criticized the 85-page lawsuit for being "tedious and burdensome," and emphasized that legal complaints should not serve as platforms for public relations or political rhetoric.

The lawsuit targeted four Times journalists over a book and three articles published prior to the 2024 election, alleging defamation regarding Trump's finances and pre-presidency media roles. Judge Merryday noted that the complaint did not present its first defamation count until page 80, highlighting its failure to adhere to procedural rules requiring concise and direct statements.

The judge has granted Trump's legal team 28 days to file an amended complaint, instructing that it should not exceed 40 pages in length. A spokesperson for The New York Times welcomed the ruling, stating that the complaint was recognized as a political document rather than a serious legal filing.