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**Summary:**

A Florida federal judge, Steven Merryday, dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against *The New York Times* because the complaint was excessively long and verbose. Judge Merryday stated that a complaint should be concise and direct, not a platform for public relations. Trump’s lawsuit targeted a book and article focusing on his finances and pre-presidency career, claiming the reporters maliciously spread false narratives about his celebrity status. The judge has given Trump 28 days to file a revised complaint limited to 40 pages.

**News Article:**

**Judge Throws Out Trump’s $15B Lawsuit Against NYT, Cites Overly Long, “Tedious” Complaint**

**Tampa, FL** – A Florida federal judge has dismissed former President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against *The New York Times*, citing the complaint’s excessive length and “tedious and burdensome” language. United States District Judge Steven Merryday issued the ruling, stating that the complaint, which targeted a book and an article by *Times* reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, failed to concisely and directly present the claims against the defendants.

“A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally,” Judge Merryday wrote in his four-page order. He emphasized that a complaint should inform defendants of the nature of the claims in a “fairly, precisely, directly, soberly, and economically” manner.

Trump’s lawsuit alleged that the *Times* reporters “maliciously peddled the fact-free narrative” that television producer Mark Burnett was responsible for turning Trump into a celebrity, despite the former president’s pre-existing fame and business success. The lawsuit also challenged claims made about Trump’s early business dealings and his father, Fred.

Judge Merryday has granted Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint, limited to a maximum of 40 pages. The White House and Trump’s legal team have yet to respond to requests for comment. This case highlights the importance of concise and focused legal arguments in the courtroom.

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