A U.S. judge on Tuesday suggested he may dismiss the New York Times from Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit, where the actor claims the newspaper colluded with Blake Lively to damage his reputation.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman said the Times’ legal arguments were strong, making dismissal highly likely. The newspaper had filed a motion on February 28, arguing that its reporting was protected under the First Amendment.
“A strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed,” Liman stated.
Baldoni accused the Times of acting as a "conduit for revenge" after publishing a December 2024 article titled "We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine."
He claimed the paper worked with Lively behind the scenes to create a false narrative.
The Times argued the article was legitimate journalism and that Baldoni failed to prove actual malice.
The lawsuit stems from Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Baldoni during the filming of "It Ends With Us" (2024), which he directed. Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, is also named in Baldoni’s countersuit.
Liman has paused discovery while reviewing the motion to dismiss, siding with the Times' request to avoid burdensome legal proceedings.
Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha: “The court’s decision recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake.”
With the judge leaning toward dismissal, the case could soon see the New York Times removed as a defendant, shifting the focus to Baldoni’s dispute with Lively.
Pakistan has restored access to X months after imposing a ban following its controversial February 2024 general elections, despite earlier claims that the platform posed a national security threat.
Yann Sommer’s dramatic extra-time save helped Inter Milan defeat Barcelona 4-3 and book a place in the Champions League final, drawing comparisons to club legend Julio Cesar's iconic save in 2010.
Friedrich Merz has been elected as Germany’s 10th chancellor, prompting a wave of international reactions and congratulations as he prepares to navigate significant challenges at home and abroad.
Alpine has confirmed that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five Formula 1 races, starting with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, as the team experiments with a new lineup mid-season.
In his first official visit to Washington, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly dismissed US President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about annexing Canada, declaring during their meeting: “Canada is not for sale.”
Pakistan has restored access to X months after imposing a ban following its controversial February 2024 general elections, despite earlier claims that the platform posed a national security threat.
Slovakia has rejected the European Commission's proposal to phase out Russian gas and other energy imports by the end of 2027. Prime Minister Robert Fico called the plan "unacceptable" in its current form, warning it would raise energy prices across the EU and hurt its economic competitiveness.
Moscow airports are experiencing major flight disruptions due to ongoing Ukrainian drone threats ahead of Russia's 9 May Victory Day celebrations.
India launched airstrikes on Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir after a deadly attack in Indian Kashmir killed 26 Hindu tourists, sparking the worst military clash in decades. Pakistan called it an "act of war" and claimed to have downed five Indian jets.
Yann Sommer’s dramatic extra-time save helped Inter Milan defeat Barcelona 4-3 and book a place in the Champions League final, drawing comparisons to club legend Julio Cesar's iconic save in 2010.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has announced the upcoming release of a documentary film about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
ChatGPT has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential artificial intelligence tools, transforming how we interact with technology through natural language.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
New Tesla registrations in Denmark collapsed 67 % in April to 180 vehicles, industry data showed Thursday, underscoring a sharp demand drop for the EV maker in one of its once-strong European markets.
As the final celebrity entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art, fashion lovers worldwide were left with unforgettable looks and a tribute to Black style at the 2025 Met Gala.
Ten suspects, including elderly men dubbed the "grandpa gang," went on trial in Paris on charges of robbing Kim Kardashian at gunpoint during Paris Fashion Week in 2016.
Harvey Weinstein faces a new rape and sexual assault trial in New York, nearly a year after his 2020 conviction was overturned, marking a key test of progress in the post-#MeToo era.
A fresh Star Wars adventure is on the way, as Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling officially introduce Star Wars: Starfighter, set to hit cinemas in May 2027.
In a country where hockey is sacred, Canadian politics has skated out of the way.
Pakistan has restored access to X months after imposing a ban following its controversial February 2024 general elections, despite earlier claims that the platform posed a national security threat.
Slovakia has rejected the European Commission's proposal to phase out Russian gas and other energy imports by the end of 2027. Prime Minister Robert Fico called the plan "unacceptable" in its current form, warning it would raise energy prices across the EU and hurt its economic competitiveness.
Moscow airports are experiencing major flight disruptions due to ongoing Ukrainian drone threats ahead of Russia's 9 May Victory Day celebrations.
India launched airstrikes on Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir after a deadly attack in Indian Kashmir killed 26 Hindu tourists, sparking the worst military clash in decades. Pakistan called it an "act of war" and claimed to have downed five Indian jets.
Yann Sommer’s dramatic extra-time save helped Inter Milan defeat Barcelona 4-3 and book a place in the Champions League final, drawing comparisons to club legend Julio Cesar's iconic save in 2010.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment