At the Axios Media Trends Live event in New York City, The New York Times Executive Editor Joseph Kahn expressed strong confidence in defeating President Donald Trump's recently filed $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the newspaper.
Kahn, who has overseen the Times' newsroom since 2022, stated unequivocally, "He’s wrong on the facts. He’s wrong on the law. And we’ll fight it. And we’ll win it," emphasizing that the paper has "no intention of settling" the case. This stance contrasts sharply with recent settlements by other media giants, such as Disney/ABC's $15 million payout and Paramount's $16 million agreement earlier in 2025 over similar defamation claims by Trump. Kahn highlighted the Times' commitment to journalistic independence, framing the lawsuit as an attempt to intimidate rather than a meritorious legal action.
He also addressed broader media trends, including the pressures on news organizations amid political attacks, but positioned the Times as resolute in defending First Amendment protections.
Kahn's remarks were part of a panel discussion on the evolving media landscape under the Trump administration, where he underscored the importance of rigorous reporting on public figures. He noted that Trump's suit lacks substantive evidence, relying instead on inflammatory rhetoric accusing the Times of being a "full-throated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party."
President Trump filed the $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit on Monday, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, a venue often favorable to Trump due to its location in his home state. The suit targets The New York Times Company, four of its prominent reporters—Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker, and Michael S. Schmidt—and book publisher Penguin Random House.
It alleges a "long pattern of intentional and malicious defamation" through three specific articles and a book published in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, which Trump claims were designed to undermine his campaign against Kamala Harris.