Trump Files $15 Billion Lawsuit Against New York Times Over Defamation

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is filing a $15 billion “defamation and libel lawsuit” against The New York Times.

“The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW!” Trump declared on his Truth Social platform, noting the case is being filed in Florida.

AFP reached out to The New York Times for comment.

Trump further described the newspaper as a “virtual ‘mouthpiece’ for the Radical Left Democrat Party,” accusing it of publishing falsehoods about his “family, business, the America First Movement, MAGA, and our Nation as a whole.” He offered no evidence to support the claims.

The lawsuit comes a week after the Times reported that Trump had threatened legal action over articles linking him to a lewd birthday note addressed to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has denied writing the note.

Since returning to the White House, the Republican president has escalated his attacks on mainstream media, frequently criticizing critical journalists, limiting press access, and filing lawsuits.

In July, Trump sued media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal for at least $10 billion following an article about his ties to Epstein. The same month, Paramount settled a separate lawsuit with Trump for $16 million over CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” Trump alleged the program unfairly edited an interview with his 2024 election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, to her advantage.

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