Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and four of its journalists, alleging that the newspaper’s coverage of him and his associates has been part of a “decades-long pattern” of intentional and malicious defamation. The lawsuit, filed in a US district court in Florida on Monday, centers around several articles and one book published by the journalists in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
What Happened
Trump’s legal team claims that the articles, written by two of The New York Times’ journalists, contain false statements made “negligently, with knowledge of the falsity of the statements, and/or with reckless disregard of their truth or falsity.” The lawsuit also alleges that these publications were part of a broader strategy by the media outlet to defame Trump, his family, and his political movement.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Monday evening to voice his frustration, stating, “The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW!” He further criticized the newspaper for endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, calling it a “virtual mouthpiece for the Radical Left Democrat Party.”
Trump’s Accusations
In his social media post, Trump accused the newspaper of lying about his “family, business, the America First Movement, MAGA, and our Nation as a whole.” However, Trump did not provide any specific evidence to support his claims. He also referenced the newspaper’s recent coverage regarding a controversial birthday note given to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump has denied authoring. The lawsuit includes allegations related to these articles as well.
Previous Legal Battles
This is not the first time Trump has sued media outlets over defamation. In July, Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch after a report linked him to Epstein. Trump has also previously targeted other media organizations, including ABC News and the anchor George Stephanopoulos, as well as Paramount over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. These cases were settled for millions of dollars, with settlements of $15 million and $16 million, respectively.
The New York Times’ Response
As of Tuesday morning, The New York Times has not yet responded to the lawsuit or any requests for comment. The newspaper is expected to address the matter in the coming days as the case develops.
What Happens Next
Trump’s latest defamation lawsuit is just one in a series of legal battles he’s waging against the media. His campaign against The New York Times comes as he faces heightened scrutiny ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for both Trump’s political future and the ongoing relationship between public figures and the press.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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