A U.S. federal judge has dismissed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against The New York Times, citing deficiencies in the legal filing.
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday, in his ruling on Friday, stated that Trump’s lawsuit failed to adhere to a federal rule mandating that plaintiffs provide a “short and plain statement” outlining the basis for their claim.
According to the judge, a legal complaint is not an appropriate “platform to rage against an adversary.” He has granted Trump a 28-day period to submit an amended complaint.
Trump had signaled his intention to sue The New York Times earlier this week via a post on Truth Social, alleging that the newspaper has been “allowed to freely lie, smear and defame me for far too long.”
A spokesperson for President Trump affirmed that he “will continue to hold the Fake News accountable through this powerhouse lawsuit against the New York Times,” as reported by the newspaper, and indicated that his legal team will revise the complaint to meet the judge’s specifications.
The New York Times responded earlier in the week, stating that the lawsuit is without “merit.”
“It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting,” the newspaper conveyed in a statement.
Judge Merryday’s order on Friday described Trump’s lawsuit as “repetitive,” “superfluous,” and containing “florid” allegations.
The 85-page lawsuit, filed in federal court in Tampa this week, also names Penguin Random House LLC, the publisher of a book authored by Times reporters last year, and accuses the newspaper of acting as a “mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party.
Judge Merryday stated in his ruling that even assuming the veracity of Trump’s allegations and interpreting the lawsuit in a “generous and lenient” manner, its structure violates court rules and is “decidedly improper and impermissible.”
Neither President Trump nor his legal representatives have issued a response to Judge Merryday’s decision.
The lawsuit emerges amidst criticism directed at the Trump administration, with opponents alleging a crackdown on media outlets perceived as unfavorable to the former president.
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