On Monday, Judge Lewis J. Liman granted motions to dismiss filed by Blake Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane. This decision also included a dismissal motion from the New York Times, with Liman stating in his opinion that the newspaper's reporting was protected under “fair report” privilege, which safeguards news reporting related to legal proceedings.
In his ruling, Judge Liman noted, “The alleged facts indicate that the Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatized manner, what it believed to have happened.” He emphasized that the New York Times had no apparent motive to favor Lively’s perspective on the events. This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle involving Lively and Baldoni, with the judge granting Baldoni’s legal team until June 23 to refile some of their claims.
Following the ruling, Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, expressed their satisfaction, calling the judge’s opinion a “total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively” and others involved in the lawsuit. They stated, “As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it.” Additionally, they indicated that they look forward to pursuing attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and his team.
Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for the New York Times, also commented on the ruling, stating, “We are grateful to the court for seeing the lawsuit for what it was: a meritless attempt to stifle honest reporting.” He added that the paper's journalists had covered a story of public importance fairly and carefully, highlighting that the court recognized the legal protections afforded to such journalism.
This ruling is the latest development in a protracted legal and public relations battle between Baldoni and Lively, which originated from the film “It Ends With Us,” directed by Baldoni. In the film, Lively portrays a florist who falls in love with an abusive man, played by Baldoni himself. The movie, produced by Wayfarer Studios, has grossed over $350 million worldwide since its August release, although its success has been overshadowed by reports of tension between the two stars.
In December, Lively filed an extensive 80-page complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation. These allegations became the focal point of a New York Times investigative report. Lively claimed that Baldoni and the film's producers orchestrated a smear campaign against her after she reported inappropriate behavior on set, asserting that Baldoni made sexual comments that objectified her.
Baldoni has consistently denied Lively’s claims. Following her allegations, he filed an 87-page libel lawsuit against the New York Times, accusing the publication of relying on Lively’s assertions without proper fact-checking and not giving his team adequate time to respond. The Times maintained its support for its reporting, which led to its inclusion in Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively.
The legal disputes escalated when Lively filed a 111-page lawsuit against Baldoni in the Southern District of New York, which included her previous complaints. In a dramatic turn, Baldoni responded with a 179-page defamation lawsuit seeking $400 million, alleging that Lively aimed to damage his career through false accusations. Since then, both parties have engaged in a series of legal motions.
The case garnered significant media attention in May when Baldoni’s attorney claimed that Lively pressured pop star Taylor Swift—a friend of hers—for public support. Lively's representatives denied this assertion. Subsequently, Baldoni’s legal team issued a subpoena to Swift and her legal representatives to obtain communications between Swift and Lively's teams, although they later withdrew this subpoena.
As the legal battle continues, a trial date has been set for Lively’s complaint against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios in March 2026, indicating that this high-profile case is far from over and will likely remain in the public eye.
