Trump Sues New York Times for $15 Billion
Introduction
In a bold move, former President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times for what he calls "lies, smears, and defamation." This comes after years of the newspaper's critical coverage of his presidency and personal life.
Key Details
In a post on his newly launched social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, "The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW!" He also accused the newspaper of being a "degenerate" and claimed they had caused him financial harm.
The lawsuit cites several instances where The New York Times allegedly published false or misleading information about Trump, including their coverage of the Russia investigation and their reporting on his tax returns. Trump's legal team argues that the newspaper's actions have damaged his reputation and business opportunities.
Impact
This lawsuit is just the latest in Trump's ongoing battle with the media, which he often refers to as "fake news." It also raises questions about the role and responsibility of the press in reporting on public figures. Some see this as a direct attack on the freedom of the press, while others view it as a necessary step in holding the media accountable for their reporting.
Regardless of the outcome, this lawsuit is sure to have a significant impact on the
About the People Mentioned
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, is an American businessman, media personality, and politician. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1968 with a degree in economics. In 1971, he took over his family’s real estate business, renaming it the Trump Organization, through which he expanded into building and managing skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump gained widespread fame as the host of the reality TV show *The Apprentice* from 2004 to 2015, which helped establish his public persona as a successful entrepreneur. Trump entered politics as a Republican and was elected the 45th president of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was marked by significant policy actions including tax cuts, deregulation, the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, renegotiation of trade agreements (notably replacing NAFTA with the USMCA), and a focus on immigration control including border wall expansion. He withdrew the U.S. from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and engaged in a trade war with China. His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity. Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection—but was acquitted by the Senate both times. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump challenged the results, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He remains a central figure in American politics, having won the 2024 presidential election and returned as the 47th president in 2025, continuing to promote policies aimed at economic growth, border security, and military strength[1][2][3][4].
About the Organizations Mentioned
The New York Times
The New York Times (NYT) is a prestigious American daily newspaper founded on September 18, 1851, in New York City by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones. It has established itself as a global leader in journalism, renowned for accurate, independent, and fair reporting. Its mission is to seek the truth and help people understand the world, a commitment reflected in its deployment of journalists worldwide to cover major historical events, often at personal risk[1][2][4]. Under the stewardship of Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. and the Sulzberger family since 1896, The Times has become the largest local metropolitan newspaper in the U.S. and the third-largest overall, following The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Its digital presence is substantial, with its website attracting millions of unique visitors monthly, making it the most popular newspaper site in America[6]. Historically, The New York Times has played critical roles in shaping public discourse and policy. Notable achievements include exposing the corrupt Tweed Ring in 1871, landmark reporting on the Vietnam War classified documents in 1971, and the influential 1619 Project in 2019, which reevaluates the legacy of slavery in the U.S.[1][4]. It has earned 112 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization, underscoring its journalistic excellence[6]. The company has expanded beyond print into digital media, broadcasting, and online services, acquiring assets like About.com and Baseline StudioSystems, and previously co-launching the Discovery Times network[2]. It continues to innovate in news delivery, exemplified by its live COVID-19 briefing that engaged over 1,100 journalists[1]. The Times is distinguished by its iconic motto, “All the News That’s Fit to Print,” adapted for digital as “All the News That’s Fit to Click.” Its comprehensive coverage includes business, technology, science, arts, and politics, making it a vital source for
