Trump Launches $15 Billion Defamation Suit Against NYT and Penguin Random House

September 16, 2025 – USA – 

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House, claiming both organizations deliberately sought to damage his reputation through a book and several articles. The case, lodged in federal court in Florida on September 16, 2025, is one of Trump’s most aggressive legal actions against the media.

At the center of the lawsuit is a book published by Penguin Random House and authored by Times reporters, titled Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. Trump alleges the book misrepresented his wealth, painted his business record as fraudulent, and was published to undermine his 2024 presidential campaign. In addition, the suit challenges three New York Times articles that, according to Trump, were malicious, false, and defamatory. He argues the publications acted “with actual malice, calculated to inflict maximum damage,” a key phrase in U.S. defamation law.

Both The New York Times and Penguin Random House rejected the claims. The Times called the suit meritless and politically motivated, stressing that it stands by the integrity of its journalism. Penguin Random House defended the book as an accurate and deeply researched account, characterizing Trump’s lawsuit as an attempt to silence reporting.

Legal experts highlight that public figures like Trump face an especially high burden in defamation cases. To prevail, he must prove not only that the reporting was false, but that the defendants either knew it was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. Courts in the United States have historically protected press freedom under these standards, making Trump’s path to victory uncertain.

This lawsuit follows a separate $10 billion defamation suit Trump recently filed against The Wall Street Journal, signaling a broader strategy of confronting critical media outlets. Critics argue that such legal actions, regardless of outcome, could have a chilling effect on investigative reporting and press accountability.

The case will now proceed through the Florida courts, where its progress will be closely watched. Beyond Trump’s personal grievances, the lawsuit raises pressing questions about press freedom, political power, and the limits of defamation law in American democracy.

Reference – 

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-files-15-billion-defamation-case-against-new-york-times-penguin-random-2025-09-16/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cevz419pk8vo

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/09/16/trump-new-york-times-defamation-lawsuit/