Trump Files $15 Billion Lawsuit Against New York Times
President Donald Trump announced Monday night that he has launched a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against the New York Times.
The legal action names four reporters from the newspaper, along with publisher Penguin Random House, citing reputational damage, according to a Florida court filing reported by Reuters.
Trump Hits Back on Truth Social
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:
“The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW!”
He dismissed the newspaper as a “virtual mouthpiece for the Radical Left Democrat Party”. He accused it of spreading falsehoods about his family, business, the America First Movement, MAGA, and the nation.
Specific Claims and Targets
Trump’s lawsuit cites multiple New York Times articles, including:
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An editorial before the 2024 presidential election calling him unfit for office.
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A 2024 book published by Penguin, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.
He also criticized the newspaper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Previous Media Lawsuits
Trump has a history of suing media outlets over perceived bias. Recently, Paramount settled a Trump lawsuit over CBS News’ “60 Minutes” coverage for $16 million. He claimed the program deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris in her favor.
In July, Trump sued media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal for at least $10 billion after an article connected him to Jeffrey Epstein.
