Trump's $15bn Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times Thrown Out by Federal Judge

Strategic Insights -

A federal judge in Florida has dismissed Donald Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, citing that the complaint was overly long and contained "tedious and burdensome" language. United States District Judge Steven Merryday gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint of no more than 40 pages, stating that a complaint should "fairly, precisely, directly, soberly, and economically inform the defendants...of the nature and content of the claims." Trump's lawsuit was in response to a book and an article by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, which focused on his finances and his pre-presidency starring role in television's The Apprentice. Trump claims the reporters "maliciously peddled the fact-free narrative" that he was turned into a celebrity by television producer Mark Burnett, despite already being a successful businessman.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit, filed by Donald Trump against The New York Times, has been dismissed by a federal judge due to the complaint being overly long and containing unnecessary language.
  • United States District Judge Steven Merryday ruled that a complaint should be concise and directly inform the defendants of the nature and content of the claims.
  • Trump's lawsuit targeted a book and an article by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, which focused on his finances and his pre-presidency starring role in television's The Apprentice.
  • Trump claims the reporters "maliciously peddled the fact-free narrative" that he was turned into a celebrity by television producer Mark Burnett, despite already being a successful businessman.
  • The judge gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint of no more than 40 pages.
  • The lawsuit also attacked claims the reporters made about Trump's early business dealings and his father, Fred.
  • Trump said in the lawsuit that the outcome of the lawsuit will "begin, will continue, and will end in accord with the rules of procedure and in a professional and dignified manner."

Statistics:

  • The lawsuit was valued at $15 billion.
  • The complaint was ruled to be overly long by the federal judge.
  • The judge gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint.
  • The amended complaint is limited to no more than 40 pages.
  • The lawsuit targeted a book and an article by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig.

Sources:

  • United States District Judge Steven Merryday
  • Donald Trump
  • The New York Times
  • Russ Buettner
  • Susanne Craig
  • Mark Burnett
  • The New York Times article "For Trump, a Lifetime of Scandals Heads Toward a Moment of Judgment" (published October 20, 2024)