US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will file a $15-billion defamation and libel lawsuit against the New York Times. The announcement comes days after the newspaper published articles linking Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump’s legal action follows his earlier threat to sue the New York Times over reports involving a sexually suggestive note and drawing connected to Epstein. He made the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying, “Today, I have the Great Honor of bringing a $15 Billion Dollar Defamation and Libel Lawsuit against The New York Times.”
The New York Times did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.
Trump accused the paper of publishing false claims about him, his family, and his businesses. He also said the reporting misrepresented Republican-led movements and ideologies, including the America First Movement and Make America Great Again (MAGA).
The lawsuit is expected to be filed in Florida, though Trump did not provide further details. Legal experts say cases of this magnitude are rare and can take years to resolve in court.
The case is likely to attract significant national attention due to Trump’s high-profile status and the prominence of the New York Times. Observers note that the lawsuit could spark debates over press freedom, defamation laws, and the responsibilities of media outlets when reporting on public figures.
Supporters of Trump say the lawsuit aims to protect his reputation. Critics argue it may have political motivations. Regardless, the legal battle is expected to remain in the news for months.
Trump’s action adds to ongoing tensions between him and major media outlets. Analysts believe this case could set precedents for how public figures challenge major news organizations in the United States.
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