USA17 October, 20252 min read
Trump Files $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times Over 'Decades of Lies'
Donald Trump refiled a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. The lawsuit targets the newspaper, three reporters, and publisher Penguin Random House.
22 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Trump Interrupted by Protesters at San Antonio Rally for Ken Paxton →
Trump's Defamation Lawsuit Update
Donald Trump has refiled a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, several of its reporters, and Penguin Random House. He alleges that "false and malicious" statements harmed his professional reputation. The amended complaint was filed in federal court in Tampa, Florida.
“Former President Donald Trump has refiled a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House, accusing them of publishing false and malicious statements that damage his professional reputation.”
It seeks compensatory and punitive damages, a retraction, and a jury trial. The lawsuit centers on statements in the 2024 book "Lucky Loser" and related Times articles. The New York Times responded by calling the suit meritless and an attempt to intimidate independent journalism.
Trump's Revised Legal Complaint
The refiling follows a judge’s rejection of Trump’s initial 85-page complaint as overly long and procedurally defective.
A federal judge in Florida criticized the first filing as “tedious and burdensome,” overly verbose, and filled with unnecessary detail.
The judge did not rule on the truth of the allegations.
The revised complaint is about 40 pages long.
Multiple outlets note the court’s push for a concise pleading.
Reports indicate the new filing dropped journalist Michael S. Schmidt and removed political rhetoric from the text.
Defamation Lawsuit Overview
The complaint targets two 2024 articles from the Times and the book "Lucky Loser" by Times reporters Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner. It alleges "actual malice" and reputational harm related to Trump's finances, business career, and media image. Some coverage focuses on claims about his role on "The Apprentice" and his tax activities.
“The amended complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for Florida’s Middle District, targets two 2024 articles and a book... titled Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.”
Fox NewsThe lawsuit seeks at least $15 billion in damages, punitive damages, and a retraction. It invokes the high public-figure defamation standard.
Trump's Media Lawsuits Overview
Several outlets frame this as part of a broader wave of Trump's media litigation, but they conflict on dollar figures and outcomes. Straight Arrow News cites a pending $10 billion case against The Wall Street Journal and recent settlements with ABC News and CBS's parent company Paramount. Variety reports a separate Wall Street Journal case seeking at least $20 billion and that Trump settled with ABC News and CBS's 60 Minutes for $16 million each.
Jamaica Observer says Trump filed a $10 billion suit against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal and reached a $16 million settlement with Paramount. Folha de S.Paulo notes CBS and ABC recently settling their disputes. Gamenexus.br claims ABC paid $15 million to charity and CBS's parent company settled for over $30 million.
Reactions to Legal Case
Reactions and implications vary regarding the case. The Times describes the case as baseless and an attempt at intimidation. Trump and his allies frame it as accountability for "fake news."
“The New York Times has dismissed the lawsuit as meritless and an attempt to suppress independent journalism.”
SAN and others emphasize the stakes for press freedom and the high "actual malice" standard for public figures. There are inconsistencies in reported dates and descriptions of the case. The Washington Post reports the filing occurred "Thursday in federal court in Tampa."
InfoMoney states the date as "Thursday, April 16." The Hindu cites the date as "October 17, 2025." Several outlets incorrectly refer to Trump as "President" instead of "Former President."