President Donald Trump has issued a response after his defamation lawsuit against the New York Times and book publisher Penguin was dismissed by a federal judge.
Although a Florida federal judge threw out the suit, Trump responded to the action by declaring that he’s “winning” the war against corporate media outlets.
Judge Steven Merryday of Tampa, who was appointed by George H. W. Bush, tossed Trump’s suit on Friday.
Merryday called the case “decidedly improper and impermissible.”
He argued that the filing spent most of its 85 pages talking about Trump’s foes and accomplishments.
The judge also said it contained “superfluous allegations.”
“As every lawyer knows (or is presumed to know), a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective — not a protected platform to rage against an adversary,” Merryday wrote.
“A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally or the functional equivalent of the Hyde Park Speakers’ Corner,” he added, referring to a famed spot for free speech in London.
Trump responded to a question from ABC’s Jonathan Karl about the lawsuit’s dismissal by saying, “I’m winning, I’m winning the cases.”
He then addressed Karl directly, saying, “You’re guilty, Jon, you’re guilty.
“ABC is a terrible network, a very unfair network, and you should be ashamed of yourself.
“NBC is equally bad. I don’t know who’s worse.”
Merryday did say that Trump could file an amended lawsuit within 28 days that was more concisely focused on the complaints against the Times, four of its reporters, and Penguin.
Trump had only filed the lawsuit on Monday.
The amended suit would be limited to 40 pages, Merryday said.
Trump has been in the process of suing a number of media outlets for defamation.
He has already received settlements from two of the biggest, hence the meaning of his comment about “winning.”
In December, ABC settled with him for $15 million over comments George Stephanapolous made accusing Trump of being a “rapist.”
In July, CBS settled with him for $16 million over the selective editing of comments by then-Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris the previous October.
Trump argued that the effort could have impacted the election.
The money will go to his presidential library, since he is a billionaire and seemingly doesn’t need it.
There’s every possibility that he will win against the Times as well, once filings are resolved.
The Times would only say through a spokesperson:
“We welcome the judge’s quick ruling, which recognized that the complaint was a political document rather than a serious legal filing.”
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