Overview

• U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday in Florida struck the complaint as “improper and impermissible,” stressing that a lawsuit is not a vehicle for invective or public relations.
• The ruling is procedural and does not address the merits of the defamation claims, leaving open the option to refile.
• Any amended complaint must be filed within 28 days and cannot exceed 40 pages, the court said.
• The $15 billion suit targets the Times, reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker and Michael S. Schmidt, and Penguin Random House over articles and the book Lucky Loser.
• The Times called the case meritless and vowed to fight it, while Trump’s legal team indicated they will submit a revised filing.