Judge rejects Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times.
A federal ruling indicates that the actions of the President of the United States were an "improper and impermissible" use of the justice system.
247 - A US federal judge on Friday (19) rejected the $15 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against the newspaper. The New York TimesAccording to a Reuters report, the decision classified the complaint as "clearly improper and inadmissible," accusing the Republican of trying to turn the process into a platform to attack opponents.
District Judge Steven Merryday, based in Tampa, Florida, stated that the petition filed against the TimesThe petition, filed by four journalists and the publisher Penguin Random House, did not comply with the rules of civil procedure. According to him, instead of objectively outlining the legal basis for the petition, the 85-page document was filled with personal attacks, praise for Trump himself, and even defenses of his late father, Fred Trump.
“A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective—it is not a protected platform to vent against an opponent,” Merryday wrote. He further added: “A complaint is not a public relations megaphone or a pulpit for a fiery speech at a political rally.”
Conditions for proceeding with the process
The judge, appointed by former President George H.W. Bush, ruled that Trump has 28 days to submit a new version of the lawsuit, "in a professional and dignified manner," limited to a maximum of 40 pages.
A spokesperson for Trump's defense team said in a statement: "President Trump will continue to hold [them] accountable." Fake News through this powerful action against New York Times, its reporters and Penguin Random House, in accordance with the judge's instructions regarding the form of the proceedings.”
On the other side, the Times The company celebrated the decision. "We welcome the judge's swift decision, which recognized that the complaint was a political document, not a serious legal petition," a spokesperson stated. Penguin Random House, for its part, said the dismissal confirms the impropriety of the action.
What was at stake
Trump had sued the companies and journalists over three articles and a book, alleging that the content had defamed his image on the eve of the 2024 presidential election. In the text, the president's lawyers even stated that the defendants "hate Trump in an insane and unfounded way" and that their publications represented "a new low journalistic level for the compromised and tarnished 'Gray Lady'," a historical nickname for the president. Times.
Merryday emphasized in his four-page order that plaintiffs must present their claims in a manner that is “fair, accurate, direct, sober, and economical.” He believes Trump's lawyers exceeded all these limits.
History of legal battles
Trump's strategy of resorting to the courts to confront media outlets has already resulted in other clashes. One of his lawyers also represents him in another multi-billion dollar lawsuit, worth $10 billion, against Rupert Murdoch and... Wall Street Journal, referring to a news report about a birthday greeting sent to financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
Furthermore, two of Trump's lawyers led negotiations in July that resulted in a $16 million settlement with Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, regarding the editing of an interview with then-candidate Kamala Harris on the program. 60 Minutes.
Merryday's decision represents a rare reprimand of a sitting president for misuse of the judicial system, reinforcing criticism that Trump has used the courts as an extension of his political arena.
