Trump files $15B defamation lawsuit against The New York Times

U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging that the newspaper published false and damaging information about him to interfere in the 2024 election.

The lawsuit targets four Times reporters: Peter Baker, Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig, and Michael S. Schmidt, and focuses on a series of articles and a book titled Lucky Loser, which Trump claims portrayed him as having squandered his inheritance and misrepresented his business history. 

Trump alleges that the New York Times engaged in a "fact-free narrative" to damage his reputation and hinder his political prospects. He specifically criticizes the newspaper's endorsement of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, describing it as "deranged" and part of a broader effort to undermine his campaign. 

The New York Times has dismissed the lawsuit as meritless, asserting that it lacks legitimate legal claims and is an attempt to stifle independent journalism. A spokesperson for the newspaper said, "The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics."

This lawsuit is part of a series of legal actions Trump has taken against media organisations he perceives as hostile. Earlier this year, he filed lawsuits against ABC News and CBS News' "60 Minutes," both of which were settled out of court. Trump also sued The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over a story reporting on his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

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