Judge Allows Trump’s $15B Libel Suit vs. NY Times, Penguin to Proceed in Florida
Judge rules Trump’s $15 billion libel suit against NY Times and Penguin can proceed in Florida.
Why it matters: Venue decisions affect legal strategy and case progression in high-profile defamation suits, especially involving political figures like former President Trump and large media companies.
- Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, four reporters, and Penguin Random House on September 15, 2025.
- The original 85-page complaint was dismissed on September 19, 2025; an amended 40-page complaint was refiled on October 16, 2025, in Florida.
- On July 6, 2026, U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday ruled the lawsuit can proceed in Florida, rejecting a transfer to New York.
- The ruling highlights the strategic importance of venue in politically charged defamation cases involving media entities and public figures.
On September 15, 2025, former President Donald Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The suit targeted The New York Times, four of its reporters, and publisher Penguin Random House, alleging a campaign to damage Trump's reputation ahead of the 2024 election through a series of articles and a book discussing his business record.
Judge Steven Merryday dismissed the original 85-page complaint as "decidedly improper and impermissible" on September 19, 2025, allowing Trump's legal team 28 days to refile. The team refiled a 40-page amended complaint on October 16, 2025, in the same Florida court, targeting the same defendants.
On July 6, 2026, Judge Merryday ruled the lawsuit could proceed in Florida, rejecting the defendants’ motion to transfer the case to New York. The judge emphasized the lawsuit is not "a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally," underlining the court’s focus on legal substance over publicity.
The New York Times stated it would continue to pursue facts and uphold journalists’ First Amendment rights without being deterred by intimidation, while Penguin Random House maintained its support for the book and its authors, citing fundamental First Amendment protections.
This ruling signals the significance of venue selection in defamation litigation, as Florida’s court may provide Trump with favorable procedural elements given his ties to the state. The decision also underscores challenges media companies face when defending against libel claims from high-profile public figures.
By the numbers:
- $15 billion — damages sought by Trump in the lawsuit
- 85 pages — length of the original complaint
- 40 pages — length of the amended complaint
- July 6, 2026 — date court ruled case proceeds in Florida
What's next: The case will continue in Florida’s Middle District Court as the parties proceed with discovery and potential motions.