Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's $15B Defamation Suit Against New York Times

A federal judge, Steven D. Merryday, dismissed President Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House, criticizing the complaint for its excessive length and overly florid language. The judge emphasized that legal complaints require a short and plain statement of the claim and should not serve as platforms for public relations or political speeches. He described the complaint as "improper and impermissible," stating that it should not be a "megaphone for public relations" or a "podium for a passionate oration at a political rally." Trump’s legal team was given 28 days to amend the complaint, which must not exceed 40 pages, to comply with federal procedural rules. The suit accused The Times of defamation related to Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, misleading credit regarding his reality TV show, and misconduct during the presidential election coverage. The judge's order underscored that complaints must be concise, direct, and free from invective or personal grievances to proceed.