Former US President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay approximately $400,000 in legal fees to The New York Times and three investigative reporters as a result of a lawsuit stemming from a Pulitzer Prize-winning story. The story, published in 2018, delved into the wealth and tax practices of the Trump family.
The New York Times and reporters Susanne Craig, David Barstow, and Russell Buettner were awarded a Pulitzer Prize for their investigative journalism, which highlighted how Donald Trump and his father allegedly avoided gift and inheritance taxes through various means, including undervaluing assets and creating a sham corporation.
In response to the Pulitzer Prize-winning story, Donald Trump filed a lawsuit in 2021, accusing his estranged niece, Mary Trump, of providing tax records to the reporters in breach of a settlement agreement. However, the newspaper and the three reporters were dismissed from the lawsuit in May, leaving only Mary Trump as the defendant.
Mary Trump had received the disputed documents in the context of a family dispute over the estate of her grandfather, Fred Trump. Donald Trump claimed that the reporters were aware of the settlement agreement with Mary Trump that prohibited her from disclosing the documents. The verdict on this particular suit against Mary Trump is still pending.
New York Judge Robert Reed, considering the complexity of the issues in the case, ruled that Donald Trump must pay a total of $392,638 in legal fees to the lawyers representing The New York Times and the investigative reporters. The judge referred to a New York law aimed at preventing baseless lawsuits designed to silence critics, known as SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation).
Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoads Ha commented on the ruling, stating, “Today’s decision shows that the state’s newly amended anti-SLAPP statute can be a powerful force for protecting press freedom.” She emphasized that the court’s decision to ask Trump to pay legal fees sends a message against the misuse of the judicial system to silence journalists.
In a separate ruling on the same day, Judge Robert Reed denied Mary Trump’s request to put the case on hold while she appeals his June decision, which allowed Donald Trump’s claim against her to proceed. Donald Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, expressed disappointment that The New York Times and its reporters were dropped from the case but mentioned they were pleased that the court affirmed the strength of their claims against Mary Trump.
The legal battles surrounding the Pulitzer Prize-winning story reflect the ongoing tensions between Donald Trump and the media. The court decisions not only hold implications for the financial aspects of the lawsuits but also raise questions about the limits of press freedom and the potential use of legal actions to stifle journalism.
