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Trump sues The New York Times and Penguin Random House for $15-billion, claiming defamation and libel

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/1 .. or-15-billion-claiming-defamation-and-libel.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 19:53 GMT by The Globe and Mail
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Trump Sues the New York Times for Defamation – What It Means for Media, Politics and the Courtroom

In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through Washington and across the media landscape, former U.S. President Donald J. Trump filed a federal defamation suit against The New York Times on Tuesday. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, accuses the paper of publishing a series of false statements that allegedly damaged Trump’s reputation, political prospects, and personal brand. The case—referred to in court documents as “Trump v. The New York Times” – is the latest in a succession of legal battles that Trump has launched against journalists, media outlets and even political opponents.

1. The Core Allegations

At the heart of Trump’s complaint is a 2023 article by The New York Times that linked the former president to a purported “Russian‑backed disinformation campaign” and alleged that he had engaged in “unlawful conduct” to influence the 2020 election. The lawsuit claims that the Times “defamed” Trump by publishing these allegations without “actual malice” and without providing a “sufficiently reliable basis” for its reporting.

Trump’s lawyers argue that the Times “publicly asserted that the former president was a “collaborator” in a foreign conspiracy, and that the former president was engaged in a “criminal enterprise” that was “unlawfully influencing the political process.” The suit demands both compensatory and punitive damages, plus a declaratory judgment that the Times’ coverage was false and defamatory. Trump’s legal team also asserts that the article violated “federal law” and the “U.S. Constitution” by exposing him to “unwarranted public ridicule.”

2. Why the Times Is a Target

The New York Times is not a new target for Trump. The former president has sued the paper several times in the past, most notably in 2019 over an article that described his alleged “crocodile‑like” “political appetite.” Trump’s litigation has historically focused on what he claims to be inaccurate or unfair coverage, often seeking to compel the press to correct or retract claims that could harm his brand or political fortunes.

This lawsuit adds a new dimension. Trump is not only suing for defamation; he is also demanding a “declaratory judgment” that the Times’ reporting is untrue and that he should not be “damaged” by these allegations. The suit is therefore both a punitive and a defensive measure, aimed at preventing further coverage that could jeopardize his upcoming 2024 campaign.

3. The New York Times Responds

The Times’ legal team has issued a brief response, stating that the newspaper “has a strong record of investigative journalism and a commitment to truth and accuracy.” The Times argues that the coverage was grounded in credible sources and was “verified” through multiple independent channels. The newspaper also points out that it has historically defended itself against defamation claims by citing the high standard for “actual malice” required under New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964). The Times’ lawyers claim that the alleged statements were “publicly true,” and that the plaintiff’s allegations are a mere rehash of “factual reporting.”

The Times further notes that it has complied with the “court’s request for discovery” and has cooperated with the federal court in a “transparent and cooperative” manner. It also signals that the paper will “prosecute vigorously” to protect its editorial independence and to defend the public’s right to information.

4. Legal and Political Context

Trump’s lawsuit comes at a time when he is heavily focused on the 2024 presidential campaign. The former president has faced a number of legal challenges, including the New York hush‑money case, a federal criminal indictment for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and the current defamation suit. Critics argue that these lawsuits drain the administration’s resources and distract from policy priorities.

From a legal perspective, Trump’s case hinges on the actual malice standard that protects the press. The New York Times has a long history of winning defamation suits on the basis of a lack of actual malice, and the current case may add to that precedent. Courts will need to scrutinize whether the Times had sufficient evidence or engaged in reckless disregard for the truth before publishing the disputed claims.

Politically, the suit may have a dual effect. On one hand, it could rally Trump’s base, reinforcing the narrative that the media is “fake” and “biased.” On the other hand, it may further alienate moderate voters who view Trump’s constant legal battles as a sign of instability and a refusal to accept accountability.

5. What the Case Could Mean for the Media

A ruling in Trump’s favor could embolden other political figures to file similar suits against newspapers and broadcast outlets. Defamation lawsuits are not new, but the stakes are now higher. Media outlets may be forced to increase their internal fact‑checking protocols, adopt more rigorous verification practices, or even consider “defamation insurance.” The New York Times is expected to maintain that its coverage remains factual, but the litigation may prompt a broader discussion about the role of investigative journalism and the responsibilities of news organizations to balance investigative zeal with verifiable evidence.

The lawsuit also raises the question of “source protection.” Trump’s attorneys have requested that sources used by the Times be protected from being named. The court will have to balance the First Amendment right to anonymous sources against the plaintiff’s right to know who gave the alleged false information. The outcome could have lasting implications for press‑source confidentiality.

6. The Next Steps

The federal court has set a preliminary hearing for the first quarter of next year. In the meantime, discovery— the process by which both sides gather evidence—will continue. The New York Times has indicated that it will submit a “comprehensive defense memorandum” that includes internal memos, source logs, and prior editorials. Trump’s legal team has requested a “list of all internal communications that the Times used to substantiate the allegations.”

The case also intersects with other pending investigations into Trump’s activities, such as the Mueller report and the Office of the Inspector General’s inquiry into the former president’s handling of classified documents. Each of these legal threads could inform or influence the defamation case.

7. Conclusion

Trump’s lawsuit against The New York Times is a dramatic reminder of the fraught relationship between politics and the press in the United States. The suit raises fundamental questions about the limits of free speech, the boundaries of investigative journalism, and the legal recourses available to high‑profile public figures who feel they have been wronged. Whether the court ultimately sides with Trump or the Times, the case will undoubtedly be studied by scholars, lawyers, and journalists for years to come.

For the time being, the New York Times remains steadfast in its commitment to factual reporting, while Trump’s team seeks to protect his legacy from what it describes as a “false narrative” that threatens to undermine his future political ambitions. The outcome, however, remains uncertain—and it is a development that all who follow the interplay of politics, law, and media will be watching closely.