Title: The New York Times Victories Against Trump Lawsuit: A Milestone in Press Freedom
In a significant development, former President Donald Trump has paid $392,000 to cover The New York Times’ legal costs following his failed lawsuit against the newspaper and its journalists. This lawsuit was initiated in response to a 2018 investigation conducted by the Times journalists, David Barstow, Susanne Craig, and Russ Buettner, which delved into Trump’s finances and included confidential tax records.
This payment was ordered by the court in January, over eight months after Judge Robert R. Reed granted The New York Times’ motion to dismiss the case. The judge determined that the journalists’ conduct was protected under the New York Constitution, as they were reporting on a matter of significant public interest.
One of Trump’s claims against The Times involved the allegation that journalists had “tortious interference” in their pursuit of his niece, Mary L. Trump, causing her to breach a 2001 settlement contract with the Trump family. The reporting series, which went on to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting in 2019, focused on the financial dealings of the Trump Organization and its namesake.
The judge dismissed this claim against The Times due to the newspaper’s role in reporting on a matter of high public interest, which is considered justification as a matter of law. This decision was influenced by recent amendments made to New York’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) law, which provides a mechanism for defendants to seek quick dismissal of lawsuits that target protected First Amendment conduct.
A spokesman for The New York Times, Charlie Stadtlander, commented on the significance of this decision by stating, “This decision shows that the state’s newly amended anti-SLAPP statute can be a powerful force for protecting press freedom. The court has sent a message to those who want to misuse the judicial system to try to silence journalists.”
CNN reached out to Trump’s representatives for comment regarding this matter.
This landmark case serves as a testament to the importance of press freedom, particularly in the face of legal actions designed to suppress investigative journalism. The New York Times’ victory reinforces the role journalists play in bringing important information to light and holding those in power accountable.
