Trump’s lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, has filed a lawsuit seeking $10 billion in damages from The New York Times and Penguin Random House. The lawsuit accuses these entities of publishing defamatory material, specifically citing articles and a book titled Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.
The lawsuit names journalists Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt, Susanne Craig, and Russ Buettner, claiming their reporting intentionally disparages Trump’s business achievements and political ambitions.
In response, The New York Times defended its reporting as accurate and evidence-based, while Penguin Random House has not yet issued a comment.
Additional Legal Actions Against Other Media Outlets
Trump’s team has extended its legal campaign to other media organizations.
CBS News: A 19-page brief accuses the network of election interference, alleging that an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes was edited to misrepresent Trump. CBS has dismissed the lawsuit as “completely without merit.”
The Daily Beast: The campaign has accused the outlet of implying financial misconduct by campaign co-chief Chris LaCivita in a fundraising report. Although the article was corrected, Trump’s team maintains the damage was done.
The Washington Post: Complaints filed with the Federal Election Commission allege the newspaper made in-kind contributions to Kamala Harris’s campaign. The Washington Post has rejected the claims as “improper” and “baseless.”
Media Advocacy Groups Express Concern
Media watchdog organizations have criticized Trump’s legal actions, arguing they pose a threat to press freedom. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) described the lawsuits as a “direct danger to media freedom,” while Reporters Without Borders urged Trump’s administration to create a more supportive environment for journalists.
CPJ noted that the “hostile media climate” fostered during Trump’s first presidency is likely to persist in his second term, further endangering press independence.
Trump’s Ongoing Feud with the Media
Trump has long branded the media as the “enemy of the people,” a sentiment he reiterated in his victory speech, referring to press outlets as the “enemy camp.”
These lawsuits are the latest chapter in his contentious relationship with the media, raising critical questions about balancing accountability for journalists with protecting a free and independent press.
