Select Language:
President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against The New York Times, four of its reporters, and Penguin Random House, seeking at least $15 billion in damages for defamation and libel, according to a court document from Florida. The suit accuses the defendants of intentionally publishing articles and a book filled with false and damaging distortions about him, knowing they were fabricated.
The lawsuit references specific articles from The New York Times, including an editorial published before the 2024 presidential election claiming Trump was unfit for office, alongside a 2024 book by Penguin titled Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. Trump’s legal team argues these publications have severely harmed his business interests and reputation, resulting in significant economic losses and diminished future earnings.
One notable example cited is the decline in the stock value of Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), which has experienced a sharp drop, partially attributed to the alleged defamation by the defendants. TMTG stock has faced pressure recently, partly due to extended lock-up periods following its March stock market debut.
This legal action follows Trump’s recent threats to sue The New York Times over reports involving claims that he received a sexually suggestive note and drawing from Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while in custody. Trump asserts he distanced himself from Epstein long before Epstein’s legal issues became public in 2006.
Trump announced the lawsuit publicly via his Truth Social account, describing it as a “Great Honor” to bring a billion-dollar defamation case against The New York Times. He accused the publication of lying about him, his family, his businesses, and his political movements such as America First and MAGA.
In the political arena, Trump has increased his legal offensive against the media, having previously sued outlets like The Wall Street Journal for $10 billion over reports linking his name to Epstein, and settling a case with CBS over allegedly manipulated interview footage of Vice President Kamala Harris.
The lawsuit signals a continuation of Trump’s broader strategy to combat what he perceives as biased or false media coverage, aiming to hold these outlets accountable for perceived damages to his personal and professional reputation.
Add us on ChatGPT
Add us on Perplexity
