Florida federal court dismissed former President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House on September 19, 2025. The judge ruled that the complaint failed basic legal standards. He described the lawsuit as improperly long, overly political, and filled with unnecessary praise of Trump rather than clear legal claims. Trump’s legal team now has 28 days to file a shorter, more precise version of the complaint.
Why the Court Threw Out the Lawsuit
Judge Steven Merryday found that the original filing, which ran 85 pages, violated procedural rules that require complaints to be “short, plain, and direct. The judge pointed out that the authors buried the formal legal claims deep in the document—placing Count I on page 80 and Count II on page 83 and devoted much of the text to praising Trump, attacking critics, or discussing external matters instead of clearly stating the defamation claims.. He said a complaint must present a valid claim, not serve as a platform for political or personal rhetoric.
In the lawsuit, Trump accused The New York Times of defaming him in several articles and a book. The complaint claimed the media misrepresented his business success, his role in The Apprentice, and his public image leading up to the 2024 election. Trump argued that these publications harmed his reputation and business, and portrayed him unfairly.
How the Court Defined the Problem: Length and Repetition
A central issue the judge flagged was the complaint’s excessive length and repetitive content. Judge Merryday criticized the document because its authors overloaded it with superfluous details descriptions of Trump’s wealth, media appearances, and biographical background—that do not belong in a legal complaint.
He emphasized that even if those facts were true, they did not make the legal claim valid. He also said that lawsuits are not meant to serve as campaign messages or publicity tools.
Though the lawsuit was dismissed, the judge did not close the door completely. He gave Trump’s team 28 days to file a revised complaint. The amended version must not exceed 40 pages. The revised complaint also must focus on clear, factual allegations that support the defamation claims, avoiding emotional or promotional language. The judge demanded the new filing be professional and dignified.
Media and Public Response on Lawsuits
The New York Times welcomed the ruling. Its representatives said the original complaint lacked legal standing and looked more like an attempt to intimidate or silence press freedom. Meanwhile, critics and observers noted that this case fits within a larger trend of high-profile lawsuits by public figures aimed at media outlets.
Many see this decision as reinforcing that media organizations have constitutional protections under the First Amendment, especially in stories involving public figures. This ruling highlights that public figures including presidents must meet a high legal standard in defamation cases.
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