• by Ray Schultz , September 16, 2025

President Trump has filed a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, charging that the Times defamed him with a series of articles prior to the 2024 election. 

The suit alleges the Times articles and a book published by two of the journalists were “specifically designed to try and damage President Trump’s business, personal and political reputation,” the Times reports. 

The articles and book were published with “actual malice” toward Mr. Trump and caused “enormous” economic losses and damage to his “professional and occupational interests,” the Times adds.

Malice would have to be established in a defamation suit against such a famous individual. But it is a high hurdle for a plaintiff. 

In addition to The New York Times Company, the defendants include Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt and Penguin Random House, which published a book about Mr. Trump written by Ms. Craig and Mr. Buettner. 

According to the Times, a spokesman commented, “This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting. The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. 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.”

And Times Publisher A.G. Sulzberger sent a note to staff on Tuesday, saying that the lawsuit was “frivolous,” adding that “everyone, regardless of their politics, should be troubled by the growing anti-press campaign led by President Trump and his administration.”

This is not the only such suit pursued by President Trump.

In July, he filed a $10 billion+ libel suit against Dow Jones, News Corp., Rupert Murdoch and individual reporters. 

The suit disputes The Wall Street Journal’s claim that Trump wished reputed sex offender Jeffrey Epstein a happy 50th birthday with a crude drawing and the signoff, “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.” 

The existence of the birthday book has since been proven by the release of Epstein file documents, but Trump claims the signature is not his.