Judge dismisses Trump’s defamation suit against New York Times

Judge dismisses Trump defamation lawsuit against New York Times over business reporting and book claims.

A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, criticizing the complaint as excessively long, repetitive, and inappropriate in tone.

In a ruling issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday struck the 85-page filing and gave Trump’s legal team 28 days to submit a revised version that complies with procedural rules and does not exceed 40 pages. The suit, filed earlier this week in federal court in Tampa, Florida, accuses the newspaper, several of its reporters, and Penguin Random House — publisher of the book Lucky Loser — of defaming Trump in their coverage of his business and financial history.

Judge Merryday wrote that the lawsuit failed to meet the basic standards of legal procedure. “A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective,” the judge stated, adding that it should not be “a megaphone for public relations” or “a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally.”

The original filing focused heavily on praising Trump’s business acumen and political legacy, with claims that his 2024 election win was “the greatest personal and political achievement in American history.” The complaint also cited reporting that allegedly misrepresented Trump’s career and ignored qualities such as his “business genius, creativity, perseverance, talent, authenticity, and other unique traits.”

Merryday criticized these portions as unnecessary and excessive. He pointed to one claim referencing The Apprentice as an example: “The Apprentice represented the cultural magnitude of President Trump’s singular brilliance,” the complaint stated — a line the judge deemed irrelevant to a defamation claim.

Despite the dismissal, a spokesperson for Trump’s legal team confirmed their intention to refile the case in accordance with the judge’s guidance. “President Trump will continue to hold the Fake News accountable,” the spokesperson said, adding that the amended suit would follow the court’s logistical directions.