Historic Legal Demand
US President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, seeking $15 billion in damages — a figure that exceeds the newspaper’s market value.
Filed in federal court in Tampa, Florida, the suit accuses the Times of acting as a “mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party while deliberately spreading falsehoods about Trump, his businesses, and his family.
Targeting Media Giants
The lawsuit also names book publisher Penguin Random House and four Times journalists, two of whom authored Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.
Trump’s filing follows a string of similar suits targeting major outlets, including ABC News, CBS News, and The Wall Street Journal.
Times Vows to Fight
In a statement, the Times dismissed the case as meritless.
“This lawsuit has no legitimate claims and is instead an attempt to intimidate and discourage independent reporting,” the paper said. “We will not be deterred.”
Publisher A.G. Sulzberger, speaking just hours before Trump’s announcement, warned journalists about what he described as an “anti-press playbook” designed to punish independent reporting through civil courts.
Praise-Laden Complaint
The 85-page filing often reads more like a pro-Trump commentary than a legal document, offering extensive praise of the former president and citing past lawsuits he has filed against other outlets.
Legal experts immediately questioned its strength.
Uphill Legal Battle
Defamation law in the United States requires public figures like Trump to prove “actual malice” — showing that a publication knowingly spread falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
Media lawyers say this threshold will be difficult to meet, particularly as the suit references the Times’ endorsement of Kamala Harris during the 2024 election — a decision widely seen as protected opinion rather than defamation.
Free Speech Concerns
Press freedom advocates, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, expressed alarm, warning that such lawsuits “send a chilling message” and risk tying media outlets in lengthy, expensive legal disputes.
First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams said the case was “ridiculous as a matter of law but extraordinarily dangerous as a matter of national policy,” arguing it threatens core constitutional protections.
Trump’s Public Rhetoric
Trump hailed the lawsuit as a “great honour” in a late-night Truth Social post, claiming the Times had been allowed “to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long.”
He accused the paper of bias, specifically highlighting its endorsement of Harris, while pledging to “restore integrity to journalism.”
Other Lawsuits Cited
The suit references multimillion-dollar settlements Trump’s lawyers claim to have won from ABC and CBS, suggesting that media companies embolden him when they choose to settle rather than fight.
Journalism watchdogs say such settlements risk encouraging Trump’s aggressive legal tactics against newsrooms.
Epstein Reference Surfaces
The complaint also revives claims linked to reporting by The Wall Street Journal about Trump allegedly signing a birthday card for Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has denied writing the note, calling it a hoax.
Legal observers noted that this reference could open the door for questions on Epstein if the case reaches the deposition stage.
Political Context
The lawsuit arrives as Trump continues his broader campaign against what he calls “fake news,” a theme central to his public messaging since his presidency.
Critics argue the filings serve more as political theatre and PR strategy than serious legal efforts, aimed at embarrassing outlets he views as hostile.
Times Prepared for Fight
The New York Times, no stranger to Trump’s legal threats, has faced repeated clashes with the former president in recent years.
This time, the paper says it will not yield, insisting it will defend its journalists and continue reporting “without fear or favour.”
