Overview

• An 85-page complaint filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida names The New York Times Company, reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker and Michael S. Schmidt, and publisher Penguin Random House.
• Trump alleges a decades-long pattern of malicious falsehoods and targets three 2024 articles plus the book “Lucky Loser,” seeking at least $15 billion in compensatory damages and additional punitive damages.
• The suit follows a dispute over Times reporting that a 2003 birthday note linked to Jeffrey Epstein resembled Trump’s handwriting, a claim the president and his aides deny.
• The New York Times responded that the lawsuit has no merit and characterizes it as an attempt to stifle independent reporting, saying it will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor.
• Legal analysts note public figures must prove knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard, a demanding standard that could drive early motions, as Trump continues broader litigation against major media outlets.