Trump calls NYT venue ruling a 'major win' after $3.8B Washington Post defamation suit was tossed

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Tuesday welcomed a federal judge's decision allowing his defamation lawsuit against The New York Times to remain in Florida, describing the ruling as a significant victory in his ongoing legal battle against the newspaper.

The decision rejected The New York Times' request to move the case to New York and allows it to proceed in federal court in Florida. The development came as Trump Media & Technology Group's separate defamation lawsuit against The Washington Post was dismissed by another federal judge.

Judge rejects New York Times' request to move lawsuit

Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, saying the Middle District of Florida had denied The New York Times' bid to move the case out of the state.

"A very fair and highly respected Judge in the Middle District of Florida just denied The Failing New York Times' desperate attempt, together with other defendants we are suing, to move our powerhouse Defamation Lawsuit against them to another jurisdiction," Trump wrote.

He added that his legal team would now present its case in Florida, writing, "We will now have an oral argument in Florida, where our lawyers will present, in great detail, all the ways in which The Times publishes, promotes, and deals in Fake News."

In an order issued on Monday, July 6, US District Judge Steven D Merryday ruled that the Middle District of Florida was the proper venue, finding that "the plaintiff's choice of venue is not clearly outweighed by other considerations."

The judge denied the outlet's motion to dismiss the amended complaint for improper venue, allowing the case to continue in Florida. He also denied motions seeking oral argument and leave to file a reply brief, while approving a request for one of the attorneys representing Penguin Random House, Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner to step down from the case. 

Washington Post defamation case dismissed

While Trump's lawsuit against The New York Times moves forward, Trump Media & Technology Group's 2023 defamation lawsuit against The Washington Post has been dismissed at the summary judgment stage.

US District Judge Thomas Barber ruled that Trump Media had "failed to present evidence that would allow a jury to find by clear and convincing evidence" that the outlet acted with actual malice, the legal standard public figures must meet to prevail in defamation cases.

The lawsuit sought $3.8 billion in damages, alleging the newspaper published false reporting that harmed the company. The post argued its reporting had been thoroughly investigated and that Trump Media could not satisfy the constitutional burden required to prove actual malice.

Following the ruling, the post said it was pleased with the court's decision. Trump Media said it believes the case should have been decided by a jury and is evaluating whether to appeal while continuing to pursue legal action over reporting it considers false.