US court throws out Trump lawsuit against New York Times

A US federal court on Friday threw out a defamation action brought by President Donald Trump against the New York Times, saying the complaint was needlessly long and detailed.

Judge Steven Merryday, from a district court in Florida, gave the president 28 days to amend the complaint, reported German news agency dpa.

Complaints have to be phrased "fairly, precisely, directly, soberly, and economically", Merryday said. In its current form it runs to 85 pages, although it relates to only two cases of defamation, according to the judge.

"A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations," he wrote in his ruling, calling on Trump to cut his new version to 40 pages.

On Monday, Trump announced that he would lodge a defamation action against the newspaper and a number of its journalists.

"The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, now," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Trump is demanding €15 billion from the newspaper, which it has rejected as unfounded.

"This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting.

"The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favour and stand up for journalists' First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people," the newspaper added.

The case is one of several that have increased debate in the US on free speech, with critics alleging that Trump is attacking press freedom.

- Bernama

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