On September 16, 2025, former President Donald Trump initiated a significant legal action, filing a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and The Washington Post. Trump alleges that these publications have defamed him and damaged his reputation through their reporting, seeking substantial damages for the perceived harm. He utilized his social media platform, Truth Social, to characterize The New York Times as a highly dishonest and propaganda-driven outlet aligned with the radical left.
The lawsuit specifically targets articles and a book, including The Times' publication titled "The Ruin of the Rich," which Trump contends contain false and misleading information designed to negatively influence his public image and standing prior to the 2024 elections. The New York Times has responded by stating that the lawsuit lacks any legal basis and is an attempt to discredit truthful reporting and rally supporters. A spokesperson for the Times asserted, "This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting," affirming that the newspaper would not be deterred by such tactics.
Legal experts suggest that Trump faces considerable challenges in this case. As a public figure, he must demonstrate that the news organizations acted with "actual malice" or reckless disregard for the truth when publishing their content. This legal standard, established in the landmark case New York Times v. Sullivan, sets a high bar for defamation claims involving public figures. The New York Times has previously dismissed similar lawsuits as meritless attempts to intimidate and silence reporting.
This legal action represents a notable escalation in Trump's ongoing engagement with media organizations he deems adversarial. Previously, he has reached financial settlements with outlets such as CNN and CBS News, which he had also characterized as biased. The outcome of this lawsuit is anticipated to set a precedent for how courts handle such claims and whether Trump can successfully challenge media reporting through litigation.
In a broader context, Trump's legal strategy against media outlets has been described as a wide-ranging approach, sometimes employing civil anti-fraud laws in addition to defamation claims. Legal experts note that such strategies may aim to bypass the stringent legal hurdles inherent in defamation cases, particularly those involving public figures. The use of consumer protection laws against news organizations has raised concerns among media advocacy groups, who suggest it could create a chilling effect on investigative journalism and reporting.