WASHINGTON, Sept 20 — A United States (US) federal court threw out a defamation action on Friday, which was brought by President Donald Trump against the New York Times, saying the complaint was needlessly long and detailed.
Judge Steven Merryday, from a district court in Florida, gave the president 28 days to amend the complaint, reported the German News Agency (dpa).
He said that complaints have to be phrased "fairly, precisely, directly, soberly, and economically,". In its current form, it runs to 85 pages, although it relates to only two cases of defamation.
"A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations," Judge Merryday wrote in his ruling, calling on Trump to cut his new version to 40 pages.
On Monday, Trump announced that he would lodge a defamation action against the newspaper and a number of its journalists.
"The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW," he posted on his Truth Social account.
Trump is demanding €15 billion (RM74.26 billion) from the newspaper. The New York Times has rejected the complaint as unfounded.
"This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting," it said.
"The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favour and stand up for journalists' First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people," the newspaper added.
The case is one of several that have increased debate in the US on free speech, with critics alleging that Trump is attacking press freedom.
