US President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, escalating his long-running feud with the newspaper and other mainstream media outlets.
The 85-page complaint, filed in federal court in Tampa, Florida, also names four Times reporters and book publisher Penguin Random House. The filing accuses the Times of publishing “false and defamatory statements” about Trump, his family, and his business empire, and cites the book “Lucky Loser: How the American President Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success” as central to the claims.
The American President announced the lawsuit late Monday on Truth Social, calling it a “great honor” and accusing the Times of acting as “a virtual mouthpiece for the Democratic Party.” The suit seeks damages greater than the entire market capitalization of the Times’ parent company, which legal experts say is symbolic rather than realistic.
The Times quickly rejected the claims. “This lawsuit has no merit,” the paper said in a statement. “It is an attempt to stifle independent reporting. The New York Times will not be intimidated.”
First Amendment scholars and media lawyers expressed skepticism over Trump’s chances of success. Under US law, public figures must prove that a publisher acted with “actual malice” — knowingly publishing false information or showing reckless disregard for the truth — a notoriously high bar to clear.
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“This suit is extraordinary as a political statement but weak as a legal one,” said Floyd Abrams, a prominent First Amendment attorney. “It threatens core free-press principles in a way we have rarely seen.”
Press freedom advocates warned that such lawsuits can have a chilling effect on journalism by forcing news outlets into expensive legal battles. A.G. Sulzberger, publisher of The Times, recently cautioned media leaders about what he called an “anti-press playbook” used by political figures to pressure independent journalism.
The American President has launched similar lawsuits against other media organizations, including ABC News, CBS News, and The Wall Street Journal. Some outlets have reached confidential settlements, which advocacy groups argue may encourage further litigation.
The lawsuit comes as Trump continues to face multiple legal battles, including criminal cases related to the 2020 election and his business practices. It is unclear when a court will decide whether to allow the case to proceed.
Africa Daily News, New York
