Federal Judge Dismisses Trump $15B Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times

A federal judge in Florida dismissed President Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, finding the complaint excessively lengthy, repetitive, and improperly styled as a political diatribe rather than a clear legal filing. Judge Steven Merryday criticized the 85-page complaint for containing lavish self-praise and invective against the media, stating that a complaint must be concise and factual rather than a platform for vituperation. The judge granted Trump 28 days to submit a revised complaint not exceeding 40 pages, emphasizing that the case must proceed professionally and within procedural rules. The New York Times welcomed the ruling, asserting the original complaint was a political document rather than a serious legal filing. Trump's legal team stated they will comply with the judge's direction and continue to hold the media accountable through the lawsuit. The suit alleges a decades-long pattern of malice by the Times and criticizes their political endorsements and coverage of Trump’s pre-presidency life and scandals.