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Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
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Sep 19, 2025 Judge Steven Merryday dismissed Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
A federal court rejected a presidential lawsuit as improper, protecting press freedom from litigation intimidation.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Associated Press · Axios · CNBC · PBS · The Guardian
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Judge Merryday dismissed Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times — U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday, appointed by President George H.W. Bush, threw out the defamation complaint filed by President Trump on September 15 against the New York Times. The judge called the complaint "decidedly improper and impermissible" and criticized Trump's legal team for using the lawsuit as a public forum for abusive language. The complaint contained eighty pages of praise for Trump and allegations against the Times before two defamation counts. Merryday imposed a forty-page limit on any amended complaint.
- Federal judge dismisses Trump's $15 billion libel lawsuit against New York Times — US District Judge Steven Merryday in Florida dismissed President Trump's $15 billion libel and defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, ruling that the complaint lacked "any legitimate legal claims." Merryday, a Bush appointee, gave Trump 28 days to file a revised complaint and ridiculed the original filing, stating that a complaint is not "a public forum for vituperation and invective" or "a megaphone for public relations."
- Federal judge tossed Trump's defamation lawsuit against New York Times — A federal judge dismissed Trump's defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, calling the complaint "improper and impermissible" and stating that "a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective — not a protected platform to rage against an adversary." The judge ordered any revised complaint be limited to 40 pages.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 35 – 2025-09-13–2025-09-19
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Sep 18, 2025 House Democrats launched investigation and demanded FCC Chair's resignation over Kimmel suspension Corroborated Institutions and Governance
Congressional Democrats formally challenged alleged regulatory coercion of media, threatening subpoena power.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- House Democrats demand FCC Chair Carr's resignation over media pressure — Six House Democratic leaders, led by Hakeem Jeffries, issued a joint statement demanding the resignation of FCC Chair Brendan Carr, accusing him of "corrupt abuse of power" for bullying ABC into suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live. The lawmakers characterized the suspension as government-coerced censorship, warned of congressional investigations, and threatened to deploy "relentless unleashing of congressional subpoena power" to expose the truth to the American people.
- House Oversight Committee announced investigation into Trump administration pressure on media — House Oversight ranking member Robert Garcia announced he will launch an investigation to examine communications between the Trump administration, FCC officials, and media executives to determine whether political influence played a role in ABC's programming decisions. Garcia stated "We will not be silent as our freedoms are threatened by corrupt schemes and threats." The Oversight Committee has broad authority to subpoena documents and compel testimony.
- Rep. Eric Swalwell warned FCC officials of future accountability — Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) stated in committee that "There's going to be a Democratic majority in just over a year. To the FCC chairperson and anyone in involved in these dirty deals: get a lawyer and save your records because you're going to be in this room answering questions."
- House Democrats launched investigation into Kimmel suspension — Top Democrats on the House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into ABC, Sinclair, and the FCC over the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," writing in a letter to FCC Chair Carr that "this corrupt political intimidation is unacceptable." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team called for Carr to resign.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 35 – 2025-09-13–2025-09-19
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