Core Points - Donald Trump has initiated a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming the newspaper has a bias towards Democrats and has been allowed to "freely lie, smear, and defame" him for too long [1][2] - The lawsuit, filed in Florida, follows Trump's previous threats to sue the newspaper over its reporting on his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, which he has dismissed as false [4][5] - The controversy includes a birthday message Trump allegedly sent to Epstein, which was published by Congress, and Trump has denied writing the note, asserting that the handwriting does not match his own [5][6] Company and Industry Insights - The New York Times is facing legal challenges from high-profile individuals, highlighting the ongoing tensions between media outlets and public figures regarding reporting accuracy and perceived bias [2][7] - The case may set a precedent for future defamation lawsuits involving media coverage of public figures, particularly in politically charged contexts [1][9] - The response from The New York Times emphasizes its commitment to journalistic integrity and the First Amendment, indicating a robust defense against the lawsuit [7][9]