FL Judge Strikes Down $15B Trump Lawsuit Against New York Times

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Florida judge on Friday threw out President Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, calling the complaint “improper and impermissible” in its present form, according to the publication.

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.

“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.”

The judge provided Trump’s attorneys with 28 days to file an amended complaint, The New York Times reported.

“President Trump will continue to hold the Fake News accountable through this powerhouse lawsuit against The New York Times, its reporters and Penguin Random House, in accordance with the judge’s direction on logistics," a spokesman for Trump’s legal team said in a statement provided to the Times.

The lawsuit was initially filed by Trump's attorneys four days ago. It accused The New York Times and four Times journalists of "spreading false and defamatory content" about him.

The lawsuit cited several articles and a book published by Penguin Random House and claimed the newspaper and publisher tried to damage the president's reputation ahead of the 2024 election.

"Today, the Times is a full-throated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party. The newspaper's editorial routine is now one of industrial-scale defamation and libel against political opponents," the lawsuit stated.

Times reporters Peter Baker, Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig and Michael Schmidt were named in the lawsuit, as was a book and an article written by Buettner and Craig that focuses on Trump’s finances and his pre-presidency starring role in television’s “The Apprentice.”

The lawsuit also mentions a report about a birthday note from Trump allegedly given to Jeffrey Epstein and attacked claims the reporters made about Trump’s early business dealings and his father, Fred.

Trump also cited an article by Peter Baker last Oct. 20, headlined “For Trump, a Lifetime of Scandals Heads Toward a Moment of Judgment.”

After it was filed, the Times released a statement slamming the lawsuit and saying it was "without merit."

"It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting," the statement read. "The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favour and stand up for journalists’ First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people."

In July, Trump also filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over its reporting that the president sent Epstein a letter that was part of a book made for his 50th birthday.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.