Trump Amends $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times

President Donald Trump expressed victory after a judge allowed his legal team to amend his $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. Trump announced on Truth Social that a judge had called for an updated complaint detailing the alleged defamation by The Times. He accused the publication of acting with malice in defaming him, his family, and the MAGA movement. Trump emphasized holding The Times and mainstream media accountable for spreading what he termed ‘Fake News’.

The judge’s ruling, filed in the U.S. District Court for Florida’s Middle District in Tampa, gives Trump’s attorneys until August 27 to amend the lawsuit. The New York Times did not immediately comment on the development.

The lawsuit claims that The Times has engaged in decades of defamation and libel, including coverage of Trump’s show ‘The Apprentice’ and alleged suspicious tax practices. Defendants include The New York Times Company and reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker, and Michael S. Schmidt, along with Penguin Random House for publishing ‘Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success’ by Craig and Buettner.

A spokesperson for The New York Times reiterated that the lawsuit lacks merit and is seen as an attempt to stifle journalism and attract publicity. According to the spokesperson, The Times remains undeterred by what they describe as intimidation tactics.