Trump Sues NYT for $15B for Defamation
US President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times, four of its journalists, and Penguin Random House. The complaint claims various articles and a book published before the 2024 U.S. election contain false statements and distortions that harmed Trump’s reputation.
Key Claims
The suit accuses the NYT of being a partisan voice for the Democratic Party and spreading “false and defamatory content.” It points to a book called Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, by NYT reporters Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner, and several articles derived from it. Trump’s lawyers say the publications were made with knowledge of falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth. They also cite economic harm including damage to Trump Media & Technology Group stock, among other losses.
Context & Past Lawsuits
This lawsuit follows several earlier legal actions by Trump against media entities. Previous suits have included claims of defamation, but many were dismissed or settled. The NYT and publisher have not yet responded publicly to this new suit.
Legal Stakes & Implications
A defamation suit of this size will test legal protections for the press under U.S. First Amendment law. To succeed, Trump must prove the alleged statements are false, defamatory, and made with “actual malice” — that is, knowingly false or with reckless disregard of truth. If successful, Trump could receive substantial damages; if not, the courts might dismiss the case or limit damages.
