September 16, 2025

Trump Files $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times

News Summary

President Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging the newspaper acts as a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. The lawsuit targets the paper, its authors, and also Penguin Random House for their critical coverage. Critics claim this legal action is an attempt to curb free speech. As Trump continues his legal battles with various media outlets, the implications for journalism could be significant as this lawsuit progresses.

Tampa, Florida

President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging that the newspaper has acted as a “virtual mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party. The suit, which exceeds the current market cap of The New York Times Company, is positioned by Trump as an effort to combat what he describes as misleading and damaging coverage of himself, his family, and his businesses.

In a post on a social media platform, Trump referred to the lawsuit as a “great honor” and claimed it is aimed at restoring integrity to journalism. The lawsuit consists of 85 pages and also targets Penguin Random House, a book publisher, as well as four reporters from The Times. Among them are the authors of the book titled “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.”

The legal action, described by critics as part of a broader strategy to silence critical news coverage and curb free speech, has been met with a firm response from The New York Times, which stated the lawsuit lacks merit and is merely an attempt to stifle independent reporting. Legal experts note that public figures like Trump face a significant burden of proof in defamation cases, as they must demonstrate “actual malice” — that is, show that statements made were known to be false or made with reckless disregard for the truth.

Trump’s specific grievances include a situation where The Times reportedly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Legal analysts suggest that while the lawsuit may seek redress, its motives might also include creating public relations opportunities and embarrassing news outlets rather than focusing primarily on court victories. The assertion that an endorsement constitutes defamation is deemed questionable, as it typically does not meet the threshold for libel.

The legal filing is expected to be submitted to a federal court in Tampa, although there has been no confirmation that it has been officially received. This latest lawsuit follows a pattern of legal threats against various media organizations by Trump, which have previously been dismissed or rebuffed. Past actions include unsuccessful lawsuits against Disney’s ABC News and CBS News that resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements.

In light of these developments, advocacy groups have voiced concerns that such settlements may encourage Trump to persist with similar legal tactics against the media. The president’s aggressive legal stances against journalistic entities have led some observers to see them as attempts at legal intimidation and an effort to impose financial pressure on news outlets.

Additionally, Trump is currently pursuing lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal regarding articles discussing his ties to the deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein. These lawsuits underscore a continuing trend where Trump’s legal strategy appears focused on combating negative coverage and controlling narratives surrounding his public persona.

As this lawsuit moves forward, it remains to be seen how it will play out in the legal system and the potential implications it may have for journalism in the United States. The legal landscape for media organizations could alter significantly depending on the outcome, further impacting how news coverage of public figures is handled in the future.

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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER

NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.

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