A federal judge in Florida has dismissed a significant $15 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against The New York Times. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday delivered the ruling on Friday, stating that Trump's extensive 85-page lawsuit was not only overly lengthy but also contained "tedious and burdensome" language that was irrelevant to the legal issues at hand.
In a concise four-page order, Judge Merryday emphasized that a legal complaint should not serve as a platform for public relations or political speeches. He noted, "A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally." The ruling reinforced the need for the legal process to adhere to established rules and maintain professionalism.
Moreover, the judge has given Trump a deadline of 28 days to file an amended complaint, which must not exceed 40 pages. This directive aims to streamline the legal proceedings and ensure that the case is presented in a clear and concise manner.
The lawsuit specifically targeted four journalists from The New York Times and was prompted by a book and three articles published within two months prior to the last election. In its defense, The New York Times described the lawsuit as meritless and claimed it represented an attempt to stifle independent journalism.
Judge Merryday pointed out that Trump’s lawsuit did not address the first defamation claim until page 80, indicating a lack of focus on the substantive legal issues. The complaint included a discussion about Trump’s involvement in the reality TV show “The Apprentice” and an extensive overview of his media appearances.
Judge Merryday further criticized the approach taken in the lawsuit, stating, “As every lawyer knows (or is presumed to know), a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective — not a protected platform to rage against an adversary.” He underscored that while attorneys have some room for expressive latitude, the complaint in this case exceeded reasonable bounds.
Trump's lawsuit named specific articles authored by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, which delve into his finances and his role in "The Apprentice." Trump alleged that these reporters "maliciously peddled the fact-free narrative" that television producer Mark Burnett was responsible for his celebrity status, despite his established success prior to the show's debut.
Additionally, the lawsuit referenced an article by Peter Baker, published on October 20, titled “For Trump, a Lifetime of Scandals Heads Toward a Moment of Judgment.” Trump also included a piece by Michael S. Schmidt, which featured an interview with his former chief of staff, John Kelly, that warned about Trump's potential authoritarian governing style.
This defamation case is not Trump’s first legal skirmish with media organizations. He has previously filed lawsuits against major outlets, including ABC News and CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” both of which were settled out of court. In July, Trump also initiated legal action against The Wall Street Journal and media magnate Rupert Murdoch following the publication of an article detailing his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
As the legal landscape evolves, all eyes will be on Trump's next steps regarding his amended complaint and the potential implications for media freedom and accountability.
