Trump Sues New York Times for $15 Billion: What's Going On?
MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
Trump Launches Massive Lawsuit Against the New York Times
In a move that's sure to grab headlines, Donald Trump has announced a whopping $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times. This legal action comes just days after he publicly threatened the newspaper over its reporting, specifically concerning the Jeffrey Epstein case. Let's dive into what's happening.
The former president took to his Truth Social account on Monday night to air his grievances. In a lengthy post, he blamed the New York Times for what he calls a biased endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris. He also accused the paper of "a decades long method of lying" about him, his family, his businesses, the America First Movement, MAGA, and the nation.
He stated that the lawsuit has been filed in Florida, but didn't provide much in the way of further details.
Donald Trump posts his latest lawsuit on Truth Social. / Truth Social
Defamation and Libel: The Core of the Lawsuit
Trump didn't hold back, calling the publication "one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers in the History of our Country." The defamation and libel lawsuit appears to stem from the Times' ongoing coverage of Trump's connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Specifically, Trump had previously threatened to sue over articles related to a drawing he allegedly contributed to Epstein’s infamous 2003 birthday book. Trump has repeatedly denied the drawing's authenticity, calling it fake.
His lawyer, Edward Paltzik, had previously demanded a retraction and an apology from the New York Times, hinting at a potential $10 billion lawsuit, according to reports. Now, that figure has jumped up to $15 billion.
Donald Trump has launched another lawsuit. / Ken Cedeno / REUTERS
Echoes of Past Legal Battles
Trump has a history of legal clashes with media outlets. He referenced past successful litigations, stating, "The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW!"
The New York Times Responds
In response to the initial legal threat, Daniella Rhoades Ha, a spokeswoman for the Times, stated, "Our journalists reported the facts, provided the visual evidence and printed the president’s denial. It’s all there for the American people to see and to make up their own minds about."
She added, "We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor and stand up for journalists’ First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people."
A Familiar Pattern?
This lawsuit against the New York Times isn't an isolated incident. Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal earlier this year over a story about the Epstein birthday drawing. These legal actions highlight a consistent pattern of Trump challenging media outlets over their coverage.
Donald Trump has had another late-night lawsuit post. / Anadolu via Getty Images
What's Next?
It remains to be seen how this $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times will play out. Legal experts will be closely watching as the case progresses. This is a developing story, and we'll keep you updated as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further updates on this high-profile legal battle between Donald Trump and the New York Times.
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