By Naman Trivedi

Copyright timesnownews

President Donald Trump faced yet another defeat in court as Federal Judge Steven Merryday of the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida dismissed his $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and book publisher Penguin Random House. The lawsuit was rejected not on its claims but because it violated basic rules for how civil cases must be filed. In a ruling issued Friday, Judge Merryday dismissed Trump’s 85-page complaint as “improper and impermissible,” asserting that it “stands unmistakably and inexcusably athwart” the standards set out in Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. According to Rule 8, complaints must present “a short, plain, direct statement of allegations of fact.” Merryday wrote that Trump’s filing resembled more of a political screed than a legal document, describing it as “a public forum for vituperation and invective” and “a megaphone for public relations.” He gave Trump’s legal team four weeks to refile the complaint, this time with a strict 40-page limit. What Was the Lawsuit About? The dismissed suit, filed earlier this week, alleged that The New York Times, several of its reporters, and Penguin Random House engaged in defamation by portraying Trump in a false light. It targeted coverage and commentary accusing Trump of misrepresenting his business success, particularly through a book titled Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. The original complaint accused The Times of being a “virtual mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party and included long sections of pro-Trump rhetoric and praise. Who Is Judge Steven Merryday? Steven Douglas Merryday has served as a judge on the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida since 1992, after being nominated by President George H.W. Bush. He held the position of Chief Judge from 2015 to 2020 and has built a reputation as a conservative jurist known for his strict adherence to procedural rules and a strong inclination to check government overreach. The 74-year-old has presided over a number of high-profile and controversial cases. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he issued rulings that blocked the CDC from enforcing its public health restrictions on cruise ship operations, arguing the agency had exceeded its authority. Another ruling of his also prevented the US Navy from removing the commander of a $1.8 billion warship, despite the officer’s refusal to follow COVID-19 safety protocols and knowingly exposing others while symptomatic. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.