Recently, it seems as if former President Donald Trump can’t avoid legal trouble, with new headlines chronicling his ongoing lawsuits, indictments, and more allegations cropping up each day. The latest in a long string of legal losses for Trump came from a New York Judge, who ordered him to pay the New York Times and three of its reporters more than $400,000 in legal costs associated with a now-dismissed lawsuit.
Unlike his other legal battles, this case stems from a lawsuit filed by Trump against the magazine, making it one of the few cases initiated by the former President. Much of the basis for Trump’s lawsuit came from the publication’s investigation into Trump’s finances, which many believe was the basis for tax charges later brought by the New York Attorney General’s office. The project spanned multiple articles and included Trump’s undisclosed tax information, sparking outrage on both sides of the aisle.
This development only adds to the lengthy list of legal challenges Trump faces, especially as he prepares to embark on another Presidential campaign against his former opponent, now President Joe Biden.
Why Has Trump Been Ordered To Pay?
In 2018, the New York Times published a bombshell investigative journalism piece that explored Trump’s finances and pointed to multiple allegations of tax fraud. The investigation, which included a series of articles featuring headlines like Trump Engaged in Suspect Tax Schemes as He Reaped Riches from His Father, instantly became a hot topic of conversation, especially amongst members of both political parties.
Shockingly, the article largely hinged on insight from Trump’s estranged niece, Mary Trump, who helped supply the magazine with access to the family’s financial records. This set off an immediate reaction from Trump and his legal team, who claimed the investigation was nothing more than an “insidious plot” that was devised by a family member out for revenge.
To no surprise, Trump sought prompt legal action against the New York Times, suing the magazine and the three journalists responsible for the piece for upwards of $100 million. Despite these challenges, the project went on to win a Pulitzer Prize, the most coveted award in modern journalism.
Ultimately, Trump’s lawsuit was dismissed by the courts in New York, stating that the magazine was well within its constitutional right to publish its work. “Courts have long recognized that reporters are entitled to engage in legal and ordinary news-gathering activities without fear of tort liability — as these actions are at the very core of protected First Amendment activity,” stated Judge Robert Reed.
However, the dismissal would not be the end of this case. Following this development, the New York Times sought to be reimbursed for their legal expense by Trump and his team. Earlier this week, the same New York Judge agreed with their request, granting that the magazine and its journalists be paid nearly $400,000 to cover their legal costs.
Most importantly, the ruling is an indication of New York’s stance on anti-SLAPP protections, which seek to defend individuals and organizations against being silenced by legal action. SLAPP, or strategic lawsuit against public participation, is best described as the use of a lawsuit to prevent the publication of speech that would otherwise be protected by the First Amendment.
“The court has sent a message to those who want to misuse the judicial system to try to silence journalists,” said Danielle Rhoda Ha, a spokesperson for the Times.
The New York Times Vs. Trump: A Timeline
2018: The New York Times Project Is Published
The New York Times published a string of articles as a part of its investigation into Trump’s financial activities, including disclosing his previously unreleased tax returns. The investigation was led by Trump’s own niece, Mary Trump, who has long been estranged from the former president.
2020: An Investigation Into The Trump Organization Is Opened
Although not directly related to the New York Times project, it’s curious to note that an official investigation into The Trump Organization was opened in 2020, less than two years after the publication of Trump’s financial dealings.
September 2022: The Organization Is Sued
Less than two years after the investigation began, Trump, along with three of his children, were officially sued by the state of New York for fraud. In the lawsuit, state attorneys argue that Trump misrepresented many of his properties to lower his tax bill and improve his loans, resulting in massive amounts of tax debt to the state.
May 2023: The New York Times Lawsuit Is Dismissed
After several years of litigation, a New York Judge officially dismissed the New York Times and its journalists from the lawsuit. However, the same could not be said for Mary Trump, who now stands as the only defendant in the case. The judge largely attributed his decision to New York’s robust anti-SLAPP protections, which are often used to protect journalists and publications from aggressive litigation.
January 2024: Trump Ordered To Pay $400,000
Less than a year after the case was dismissed, the same judge agreed that Trump should reimburse the magazine and its employees for their legal costs, ordering him to pay almost $400,000 to the parties.
How This Impacts His Ongoing Cases
Although the New York Times has been dismissed from the case, Trump’s legal team has expressed their desire to continue their lawsuit against Mary Trump for her role in the reporting. Either way, this defeat will likely cost the Trump camp even more money, posing a potential problem for his upcoming bid for reelection.
Of course, this case is just one of several against the former President. Some of the other actions against him range from tax fraud to election subversion and money laundering. In the grand scheme of things, Trump’s battle with the New York Times is likely to be the least of his worries.
