Posted on 03/10/2021 11:31:20 AM PST by Coronal
A New York judge tossed the defamation lawsuit from the campaign of former President Donald Trump against the New York Times.
Judge James d’Auguste granted the newspaper's motion to dismiss on Tuesday, which focused on a March 2019 op-ed published under the headline “The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo.”
Max Frankel, the executive editor of the New York Times from 1986 to 1994, wrote in the op-ed that Trump had "an overarching deal" with "[Russian President] Vladimir Putin's oligarchy" against Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election — an arrangement that would deliver “a new pro-Russian foreign policy, starting with relief from the Obama administration’s burdensome economic sanctions.”
n his decision, d’Auguste gave three reasons for dismissing the suit, which sought millions of dollars in damages.
The judge noted the op-ed was “non actionable opinion” and considered “the overall context in which the article was published, in the opinion section of the newspaper," therefore signaling to readers that it was opinion. The judge also said the statements in question “are not ‘of and concerning’ plaintiff, which is a necessary element for a defamation action, and that the Trump campaign lawyers failed to prove that the newspaper published the op-ed with “actual malice.”
“The court made clear today a fundamental point about press freedom: we should not tolerate libel suits that are brought by people in power intending to silence and intimidate those who scrutinize them," David McCraw, a senior vice president and deputy general counsel at the New York Times, told the Washington Examiner. "We are pleased that the court has delivered that message powerfully today.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
That statement is an absolute lie. How is that NOT actionable? Trump needs to publish a scandalous statement about this judge and use THIS very case as protection from libel.
James d’Auguste “elected” = Democrat Party judicial puppet.
Don’t known the rules, but Trump should be working the federal courts, not NY courts.
This is how he can afford hookers and blow in his judge chambers.
It’s not a Federal Crime.
Let me guess: No standing?
Actually I did briefly read the article (LOL) and it seems to me that President Trump had quite a bit of justification for suing the NYT.
The paper all but called him a spy. But I will take a deeper look.
So the NY Slimes saying President Trump had “a deal” with Russia is opinion?
What a disgrace.
“It’s not a Federal Crime.”
Really? It has to be a crime to sue someone?
FWIW, just about all defamation cases in this country are pursued at the state rather than federal level. Why? Federal law - statutory and case - is very unfriendly to those making defamation claims.
Judges simply don’t rule in favor of conservatives these days.
Especially if it’s Trump.
I agree 100%.
The NYT can’t get out of everything by squeezing it into the opinion pages.
Would they publish something by Antifa (maybe they already do) or some actual racist and say, “Hey, it’s all good; it’s just an opinion!”
I did read it and you are absolutely right.
Trump could...um...pass gas and people would say he’s responsible for “climate change.”
No surprise that a judge would rule against Trump. The courts are political.
Ok, I don’t claim to be an expert, but Trump was never going to have a prayer in NY.
The operative word is FEDERAL.
Evil Knevil had the best response to Slander and Defamation.
Sullivan v New York Times = wrongly decided.
Wrongly interpreted.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.