Politics

Judge Slams Trump’s Times Defamation Suit: What Happens Next?

Judge rejected Trump’s NYT defamation suit, citing improper filing. Trump can refile within a month.

September 19, 2025, 2:35 PM

The New York Times Building, with its iconic logo on the facade, located near Times Square in New York City. By Matthew Nichols1 / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

A federal judge rejected President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, citing the 85-page complaint as “decidedly improper and impermissible” and failing to adhere to federal filing rules.

Judge Steven D. Merryday criticized the lawsuit for not being a “short, plain, direct statement of allegations of fact” and not adhering to Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Trump’s legal team has been given four weeks to refile the complaint, with a new limit of 40 pages, and a spokesperson confirmed their intention to proceed.

The Story So Far

The federal judge’s rejection of President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times was a procedural decision, not a ruling on its merits, primarily because the original 85-page complaint failed to adhere to federal filing rules, specifically for not being a “short, plain, direct statement of allegations of fact.” Despite this initial setback, President Trump’s legal team has been granted a month to refile a revised, more concise complaint, which they intend to do, indicating the legal challenge against the newspaper will continue.

Why This Matters

The federal judge’s rejection of President Trump’s defamation lawsuit, albeit on procedural grounds, underscores the judiciary’s strict demand for concise, factual legal filings and its refusal to allow courts to be used as platforms for “vituperation.” While Trump’s legal team has the opportunity to refile under a strict new page limit, this initial setback signals that any continued pursuit of the lawsuit against The New York Times must adhere rigorously to judicial standards.

Who Thinks What?

Judge Steven D. Merryday ruled that President Trump’s initial defamation lawsuit was “decidedly improper and impermissible” and failed to adhere to federal filing rules, emphasizing that a complaint must be a “short, plain, direct statement of allegations of fact” and not a “public forum for vituperation and invective.”

President Trump’s legal team intends to refile the defamation lawsuit against The New York Times within the given four-week timeframe, signaling a continued effort to pursue their claims despite the initial procedural rejection.

A federal judge has rejected President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, ruling that the 85-page complaint was “decidedly improper and impermissible” and failed to adhere to federal filing rules. Judge Steven D. Merryday of the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida granted Trump’s legal team a month to refile the suit, with a spokesperson for Trump indicating they plan to do so.

Judicial Scrutiny

In his ruling issued Friday, Judge Merryday asserted that the lawsuit “stands unmistakably and inexcusably athwart the requirements of Rule 8” of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. He emphasized that a civil complaint must be a “short, plain, direct statement of allegations of fact,” which he found Trump’s filing was not.

The judge criticized the extensive length and nature of the original complaint, stating it was not intended to be “a public forum for vituperation and invective” or “a megaphone for public relations.” This underscores the court’s expectation for concise and factual legal submissions.

Path Forward

Trump’s legal team has been given four weeks to refile the complaint, but with a strict new limit of 40 pages or fewer. This directive aims to ensure the revised filing meets the procedural standards outlined by the court.

Despite the initial rejection, a spokesperson for Trump confirmed the intention to proceed with the lawsuit by refiling within the specified timeframe. This indicates a continued effort to pursue the defamation claims against The New York Times.

Key Takeaways

The court’s decision marks a significant procedural setback for Trump’s defamation suit, highlighting the stringent requirements for legal filings. While the lawsuit was dismissed on technical grounds, the opportunity to refile allows Trump’s team to amend their approach under clearer judicial guidance.