A federal judge has allowed President Donald Trump to proceed with his $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times. District Judge Steven Merryday granted Trump’s legal team until August 27 to amend the lawsuit after the New York Times sought to dismiss it on First Amendment grounds. The judge postponed a decision on the publication's motion to dismiss or transfer the case to New York, which Trump viewed as a favorable outcome. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his satisfaction with the ruling and indicated that the amended complaint would detail the alleged defamation by the New York Times.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, accuses the New York Times of biased reporting related to the 2024 election and claims it has engaged in a long-term pattern of defamation against Trump. The suit names the New York Times Company, several of its reporters, and Penguin Random House as defendants. The New York Times has been given 21 days to respond once Trump submits the amended complaint. The publication has characterized the lawsuit as lacking legal merit and reaffirmed its commitment to defending its journalism and reporters' rights.
This lawsuit is one of several Trump has initiated against media organizations, alleging malicious reporting and misinformation.