Judge Dismisses Trump’s $15B Lawsuit Against New York Times

Key Points

  • U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday throws out 85-page defamation suit
  • Case filed in Tampa, Florida, on September 16, 2025
  • Trump given 28 days to refile complaint limited to 40 pages

Lead A federal judge in Tampa today dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, ruling the filing “improper and impermissible” under federal procedure.

Nut Graf Judge Steven Merryday concluded that the sprawling 85-page complaint violated Rule 8’s mandate for a “short and plain” statement of claims, and granted Trump’s legal team a 28-day window to submit a revised, streamlined version capped at 40 pages.

Details Judge Merryday, an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, criticized the initial filing as a “megaphone for public relations” rather than a focused legal document. He noted that core allegations of defamation did not appear until page 80, while earlier sections offered repetitive praise and political rhetoric.

Merryday’s order emphasized that civil complaints are not “public forums for vituperation and invective” and must adhere to procedural guidelines to ensure fair adjudication. The ruling did not address the merits of Trump’s defamation claims, leaving substantive arguments for the amended complaint.

Trump’s suit accused The New York Times, several of its reporters, and Penguin Random House of defaming him through a series of articles and a book asserting he misrepresented his business success. A Times spokesperson maintained the lawsuit lacked merit and vowed to defend independent reporting.

Background Earlier this week, Trump filed the lawsuit in the Middle District of Florida, targeting coverage including a book by Times journalists Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig. The judge’s order instructs that any revised complaint must proceed “in a professional and dignified manner” and within the strict page limit.

Next Steps If Trump’s team refiles within the allotted period and complies with the page restriction, the court will review the amended complaint. Otherwise, the lawsuit may be dismissed with prejudice.