US judge rejects Trump's $15bn lawsuit against New York Times as 'improper and impermissible'
US District Judge Steven Merryday, in his ruling on Friday (19 September), said Trump failed to comply with a federal rule that requires applicants to provide a "short and plain statement" explaining why they deserve relief from the court.
A US federal judge has dismissed former President Donald Trump's $15bn defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, ruling that the complaint violated court procedures and was improperly filed.
US District Judge Steven Merryday, in his ruling on Friday (19 September), said Trump failed to comply with a federal rule that requires applicants to provide a "short and plain statement" explaining why they deserve relief from the court, reports BBC.
The judge noted that a legal complaint is not "a protected platform to rage against an adversary," and gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Trump had signalled earlier this week on Truth Social that he would sue the Times, alleging the newspaper has been "allowed to freely lie, smear and defame me for far too long."
In response, the New York Times said the lawsuit has "no merit." The newspaper added, "It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting."
Judge Merryday described the lawsuit as "repetitive" and "superfluous," adding that even if Trump's allegations were true and the complaint was read in a "generous and lenient" manner, it would still violate the court's rules and be "decidedly improper and impermissible."
The 85-page lawsuit, filed earlier this week in federal court in Tampa, also names Penguin Random House LLC, which published a book by Times reporters last year, accusing the publisher and the newspaper of serving as a "mouthpiece" for Democrats.
Neither Trump nor his legal team has yet responded to the court's decision.
