Tue Sep 23 02:20:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A federal judge, Steven Merryday, has dismissed former President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House. Judge Merryday criticized the lawsuit’s complaint as being “improper and impermissible,” resembling more of a political statement than a legal document. He granted Trump’s legal team 28 days to refile the suit in a more appropriate manner. The lawsuit alleged libel due to several articles about Trump, including those concerning John Kelly’s warnings and reports related to “The Apprentice.” Judge Merryday emphasized that the complaint contained excessive praise for Trump, repetitive claims, and failed to adequately establish the defamation claims. The lawsuit also accused The New York Times of being a “mouthpiece of the Democrat Party.” Spokespersons for The New York Times and Penguin Random House defended their reporting and publishing, respectively, and vowed to fight the suit.
**News Article:**
**Judge Tosses Trump’s $15 Billion Lawsuit Against NYT and Penguin Random House, Grants 28 Days to Refile**
**TAMPA, FL** – A federal judge has dismissed former President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House, deeming the complaint “improper and impermissible.” U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday delivered a scathing rebuke, stating the lawsuit read more like a political rally speech than a legitimate legal filing.
The lawsuit, filed earlier this week, claimed The New York Times and Penguin Random House, along with individual reporters, engaged in libel through several articles and a book, respectively. These included reports about Trump’s former chief of staff John Kelly, the making of “The Apprentice,” and a book detailing Trump’s business history. Trump’s lawyers argued the publications sought to damage his reputation and hinder his chances in the 2024 election.
Judge Merryday granted Trump’s legal team 28 days to refile the suit, emphasizing that the complaint contained excessive and irrelevant content, including repetitive praise for Trump and failed to clearly establish the alleged defamation. He criticized the suit’s format, stating it was not a “megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally.”
“It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting,” said a New York Times spokesperson in response to the lawsuit. “The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics.”
A Penguin Random House spokesperson echoed this sentiment, stating, “This is a meritless lawsuit. Penguin Random House stands by the book and its authors and will continue to uphold the values of the First Amendment.”
This legal challenge comes on the heels of another $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against The Wall Street Journal in July. Judge Merryday did not rule on the merits of the defamation claim, leaving the door open for Trump’s team to refile a more structured and concise complaint within the given timeframe.
First Piper 