President Trump Refiles $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times
In a significant legal move, President Donald Trump has refiled his $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, which was previously dismissed by a judge due to its excessive length. The updated complaint, now filed in the U.S. District Court for Florida’s Middle District in Tampa, alleges defamation stemming from two articles published in 2024 and a book authored by Times reporters last year. Trump is seeking a staggering $15 billion in damages, along with punitive compensation.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team stated, "President Trump is determined to hold the Fake News accountable through this powerful lawsuit against The New York Times, its reporters, and Penguin Random House."
Details of the Case
The defendants in this case include The New York Times Company, reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt, and Penguin Random House, the publisher of the book "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success," authored by Craig and Buettner.
Last month, a federal judge dismissed Trump’s original lawsuit, which spanned 85 pages, and instructed him to file a new complaint no longer than 40 pages. The newly amended complaint meets this requirement at exactly 40 pages. The New York Times previously labeled the lawsuit as "meritless."
Allegations in the Amended Complaint
The revised lawsuit focuses on alleged defamation related to The Times’ reporting during Trump’s time as the star of "The Apprentice," as well as accusations regarding questionable tax maneuvers. These claims highlight Trump’s ongoing battle with media outlets over their portrayal of his business dealings and personal conduct.
Trump’s Legal Battles with Media Outlets
This lawsuit is not Trump’s first legal confrontation with media companies. He has previously filed suits against ABC News, CBS News, and The Wall Street Journal. Notably, Trump secured significant settlements with ABC News and CBS News over the past year. ABC News agreed to pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to a future presidential museum to settle a defamation lawsuit that arose after anchor George Stephanopoulos incorrectly stated that Trump had been found liable for rape, rather than sexual abuse. ABC also covered $1 million in legal fees.
Furthermore, Trump initiated an "election interference" lawsuit against CBS following a "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming that the network’s editing misled the public. CBS’s parent company, Paramount, settled this lawsuit in July, potentially costing them upwards of $30 million.
For ongoing updates and insights into this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News.
Contact Information
Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com or follow him on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.
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