President Donald Trump initiated an unprecedented $15 billion (50 billion ILS) defamation and libel case against The New York Times on Monday, alleging the publication operated as an improper Democratic Party "mouthpiece" and provided what he termed an illegal "campaign contribution" in the 2024 race against Kamala Harris, Fox News reported.
The president disclosed this legal challenge via Truth Social late Monday, announcing Florida as the filing location, according to Fox News. This action marks his most recent lawsuit against a major media outlet, following substantial settlements from ABC News and CBS News over the past year.
"Today, I have the Great Honor of bringing a $15 Billion Dollar Defamation and Libel Lawsuit against The New York Times, one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers in the History of our Country, becoming a virtual 'mouthpiece' for the Radical Left Democrat Party. I view it as the single largest illegal Campaign contribution, EVER," the president wrote, as reported by Fox News. "Their Endorsement of Kamala Harris was actually put dead center on the front page of The New York Times, something heretofore UNHEARD OF!"
The president alleged the publication engaged in decades of "lying" about him, his business ventures, family members, and the MAGA movement, Fox News stated. Within the lawsuit, Trump claimed he overcame "persistent election interference from the legacy media," led primarily by the Times, Fox News noted.
"I am PROUD to hold this once respected 'rag' responsible, as we are doing with the Fake News Networks such as our successful litigation against George Slopadopoulos/ABC/Disney, and 60 Minutes/CBS/Paramount, who knew that they were falsely 'smearing' me through a highly sophisticated system of document and visual alteration, which was, in effect, a malicious form of defamation, and thus, settled for record amounts. They practiced this longterm INTENT and pattern of abuse, which is both unacceptable and illegal. The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW! The suit is being brought in the Great State of Florida. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump added in his message.
"All across our country, Americans from a wide array of backgrounds saw the truth about him and voted accordingly—the same truth that the New York Times refused to recognize as it continued spreading false and defamatory content about President Trump," reads the suit, as cited by Fox News.
The filing occurred at the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Named defendants include the New York Times Company, reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker, and Michael S. Schmidt, along with Penguin Random House, which released "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success," authored by Craig and Buettner, Fox News reported.
The newspaper backed Harris in 2024, unsurprisingly given its editorial board's Democratic leanings and absence of Republican presidential endorsements since 1956. Its endorsement began with criticism of Trump rather than praise for Harris, according to Fox News.
"It is hard to imagine a candidate more unworthy to serve as president of the United States than Donald Trump. He has proved himself morally unfit for an office that asks its occupant to put the good of the nation above self-interest," the board wrote, Fox News reported.
The 85-page lawsuit labeled the endorsement "deranged" and claimed "Lucky Loser" was both false and defamatory. In 2023, a judge had dismissed Trump's 2021 lawsuit against the publication over its reporting on his finances and alleged questionable tax maneuvers, according to Fox News.
The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, whose liberal editorial boards intended to endorse Harris in 2024, ultimately declined to endorse after their billionaire owners intervened. These moves angered progressive staff members, triggering resignations and subscriber departures, Fox News noted.
Trump has secured settlements exceeding eight figures from lawsuits against ABC News and CBS News within the past year. ABC agreed in December to contribute $15 million (50 million ILS) to a future presidential museum or foundation, settling Trump's defamation lawsuit. The case arose after anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly misstated on air that Trump was liable for rape rather than sexual abuse, Fox News reported.
Trump pursued an "election interference" lawsuit against CBS over its "60 Minutes" interview with Harris in 2024, claiming editing decisions misled viewers. Paramount, CBS's parent company, settled in July for potentially up to $30 million (100 million ILS) before its planned $8 billion (26.7 billion ILS) merger with Skydance Media, according to Fox News.
These settlements prompted criticism from liberals and free speech supporters, claiming media companies capitulated to baseless suits, while Trump supporters argued he was rightfully challenging liberal media outlets, Fox News stated.
