Overview

• Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed both Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds and his separate $250 million suit against The New York Times.
• The judge ruled that Lively’s comments were protected by legal privilege because they were made during the filing of her own complaint.
• Lively’s attorneys called the decision a “total victory and complete vindication” while a New York Times spokesperson defended the outlet’s coverage as meticulous and responsible.
• Lively recently withdrew two claims related to intentional and negligent emotional distress to focus the litigation on her core allegations.
• Both Lively and Baldoni are expected to testify at the March 2026 trial, which will examine her harassment allegations from the filming of ‘Romper el Círculo’.