Overview

• U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday struck the complaint for being overly long and florid, stressing he made no finding on the truth or legal merits.
• The order said a complaint is not a “megaphone for public relations” and must be a short, plain, direct statement sufficient to frame a response.
• Any amended filing must be submitted within 28 days and may not exceed 40 pages, excluding the caption, signature, and attachments.
• The New York Times called the case meritless and an attempt to chill independent reporting, and its leaders said they will not settle.
• Trump’s team said it will refile; the original suit targeted Times reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker, and Michael S. Schmidt, plus Penguin Random House, over pre-2024 election articles and the book “Lucky Loser.”