TAMPA, Fla. — A federal judge has dismissed former President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and several others, characterizing the extensive filing as more akin to a political manifesto than a legitimate legal document. The ruling, which came on Friday, addressed the $15 billion lawsuit filed earlier this week that targeted the newspaper, four of its reporters, and the publisher, Penguin Random House.
U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday criticized the 85-page complaint for failing to adhere to established procedures. He emphasized that the lawsuit strayed from the mandates of Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which requires that claims be presented succinctly. “A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective — not a protected platform to rage against an adversary,” Judge Merryday stated.
In his decision, Judge Merryday pointed out that Trump’s legal team waited until nearly the end of the lengthy document to articulate the first formal accusation of defamation. The intervening pages largely consisted of praise for Trump’s business achievements, his television success, and his political victories, punctuated by scathing critiques of what the suit referred to as the “hopelessly compromised and tarnished ‘Gray Lady.'”
While the judge dismissed the complaint entirely, he allowed Trump’s attorneys 28 days to file an amended version, stipulating that it should not exceed 40 pages. He clarified that his ruling was focused solely on the format and style of the complaint, not on the factual validity of the allegations made.
This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of legal actions that Trump has initiated against major media outlets. Earlier this year, he filed a suit against The Wall Street Journal in connection with an article discussing his relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, Trump has pursued claims against CBS News and ABC News, both of which reportedly settled for $16 million.
Judge Merryday’s ruling reaffirmed the necessity for legal claims to adhere to procedural standards, stating, “This action will begin, will continue, and will end in accord with the rules of procedure and in a professional and dignified manner.”
As the former president navigates his ongoing legal battles, this dismissal serves as a notable moment in a continuing saga of litigation involving prominent news organizations.
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