Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
Trump files a $15 billion defamation suit against the New York Times, 4 of its journalists and Penguin Random House
Trump sued as a private individual in federal court in Tampa, over 2024 articles and the book Lucky Loser. The Times called the suit meritless.
What happened
Late on September 15, 2025, Trump filed an 85-page, $15 billion defamation complaint in federal court in Tampa against the New York Times Company, four reporters and Penguin Random House. The reporters are Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Michael S. Schmidt and Peter Baker. The suit concerns 2024 articles and the book Lucky Loser.
On September 19, Judge Steven Merryday struck the complaint as “decidedly improper and impermissible” under Rule 8. He allowed a 40-page refiling. An amended complaint dropping Schmidt was filed October 16. The Times said the case “lacks any legitimate legal claims” and was meant to discourage reporting.
The case is still alive a year later: Merryday denied a venue motion on July 6, 2026, and allowed a second amended complaint on August 27. He deferred the motion to dismiss on July 27. The renewed bid to dismiss was pending October 9.
Who benefited
Trump did not need to win, because two earlier media defendants had paid $16 million each rather than litigate. Disney paid to settle the ABC suit, and Paramount paid while seeking FCC approval of its sale to Skydance. His lawyers from the ABC, CBS and Wall Street Journal suits are handling this one.
Who wanted something
Trump announced the suit himself on social media and tied it to his earlier wins against ABC and CBS. He said he was holding the “once respected ‘rag’” responsible as he had ABC and CBS. The administration separately pressed broadcasters through the FCC and cut $1.1 billion in public-media funding.
Who lost out
The four named reporters face personal liability exposure for published work, and the Times must spend to defend reporting it stands behind. Other outlets saw the price of adversarial coverage of the president rise to a $15 billion demand.
Why it matters
Two defendants have already settled for $16 million each without a judge ruling on the merits. Public figures must show a publisher knew a statement was false or seriously doubted it, a high bar. A president who can sue critics into settlement does not need censorship.
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