Donald Trump Files $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the newspaper of running what he calls an “industrial scale libel campaign” aimed at damaging his reputation and political standing. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Allegations Against The New York Times

The lawsuit, filed on September 15, 2025, claims that the paper acted as a “mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party during the 2024 presidential election. Trump alleges that The Times consistently published false and malicious stories designed to tarnish his image, both as a businessman and political figure.

According to the filing, the paper not only misrepresented his presidential campaign but also dredged up his past, including his time as host of The Apprentice, to allegedly manipulate public opinion and sway voters. Trump argues this behavior constitutes a betrayal of journalistic integrity in favor of partisan politics.

Why Trump is Seeking $15 Billion

Trump is seeking $15 billion in compensatory damages, citing harm to his reputation, loss of business opportunities, and long-term personal damage caused by what he describes as years of targeted smears. He is also demanding additional punitive damages, to be determined in court, along with reimbursement for legal costs.

His legal team argues that The Times has engaged in a “decades-long pattern of defamation” driven by “actual malice” and disregard for factual reporting.

Previous Lawsuits Against Media Outlets

This latest case is one of several high-profile legal battles Trump has launched against major media organizations in recent years:

• In 2024, Trump sued ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, a case that was later settled for $15 million.

• He also filed a lawsuit against Paramount over a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, which ended in a $16 million settlement.

• Separately, he sued The Wall Street Journal, seeking $15 billion in damages over what he claimed were defamatory reports targeting his reputation and business interests.

A Familiar Battle Over Media Bias

Trump’s legal offensive reflects his longstanding feud with mainstream U.S. media, which he has frequently accused of bias and of spreading “fake news.” In this latest lawsuit, he positions The New York Times as a central player in what he describes as a coordinated campaign to discredit him.

As of now, The New York Times has not issued a formal public response to the lawsuit.