Former President Donald Trump has filed a substantial $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times Company, alleging defamation and libel. The suit, initiated on Tuesday, contends that the renowned newspaper has acted as a partisan mouthpiece for the Democratic Party, made illicit campaign donations, and issued an \"unheard-of\" endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump asserts that The New York Times has engaged in a prolonged pattern of disseminating false information about him, his family, and his political movement, compelling him to seek legal recourse in Florida to address these claims of journalistic misconduct and political bias.
In a strongly worded statement shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump explicitly accused The New York Times of being a conduit for Democratic propaganda and engaging in actions that he deemed unlawful with regard to campaign funding. He specifically highlighted the newspaper's front-page endorsement of Kamala Harris, which he described as an unprecedented and highly unusual move that further demonstrated the publication's alleged bias against him. These accusations form the core of his legal challenge, aiming to hold the media giant accountable for what he perceives as a consistent campaign of misrepresentation.
Trump’s legal action stems from what he characterizes as years of continuous and deliberate misrepresentation by the publication. He stated his intention to pursue the lawsuit in Florida, emphasizing that The New York Times has been allowed to \"freely lie, smear, and defame\" him for too long, declaring that this period of alleged unchecked misconduct must now end. This latest legal battle is not an isolated incident, as the former president has a history of pursuing lawsuits against media organizations, reflecting his ongoing contention with what he views as unfair and biased reporting.
This lawsuit against The New York Times is part of a broader pattern of legal challenges initiated by Donald Trump against various media entities. Earlier this year, he filed a $10 billion defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal and its parent company, News Corp, over a report that allegedly linked him to Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, Trump previously secured a $16 million settlement from Paramount Global, now known as Paramount Skydance, following a \"60 Minutes\" interview featuring then-Vice President Kamala Harris. This settlement, however, did not include an apology or admission of wrongdoing from Paramount, and it prompted calls for an investigation from Senator Elizabeth Warren, who raised concerns about a potential \"secret side deal.\"
These legal pursuits underscore Trump's consistent efforts to combat what he perceives as unfair media coverage and to challenge the narratives presented by prominent news organizations. His current lawsuit against The New York Times reinforces his long-standing allegations of media bias and his determination to address these grievances through legal means, aiming to hold the publication accountable for its reporting and editorial decisions, particularly concerning his political career and personal image.