US District Judge Steven Merryday ruled that Mr Trump’s lawsuit was overly long and was full of “tedious and burdensome” language that had no bearing on the legal case. “A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally,” Judge Merryday wrote in a four-page order. The lawsuit named a book and an article written by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig that focuses on Mr Trump’s finances and his pre-presidency starring role in television’s The Apprentice. The lawsuit also attacked claims the reporters made about Mr Trump’s early business dealings and his father, Fred. Mr Trump also cited an article by Peter Baker on October 20 2024 headlined “For Trump, a Lifetime of Scandals Heads Toward a Moment of Judgment”.

Source: The Times September 19, 2025 20:58 UTC