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 filing as "decidedly improper and impermissible," noting that it violated federal civil procedure rules requiring a concise statement of the claim.

"A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective—not a protected platform to rage against an adversary," Merryday wrote in his ruling.

The lawsuit, filed on September 15, 2025, accused The New York Times, several of its journalists, and publisher Penguin Random House of defamation through multiple articles and the book "Lucky Loser," alleging they spread false statements about Trump's business acumen and engaged in election interference.

Merryday granted Trump 28 days to submit an amended complaint, limiting the length to 40 pages. The New York Times welcomed the ruling, stating that the lawsuit lacked merit and was an attempt to stifle independent reporting.