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Trump Ordered to Pay NYT Over Tax Story Fiasco
Former President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay nearly $400,000 in legal fees to The New York Times and three investigative reporters after a judge dismissed them from his lawsuit over a Pulitzer Prize-winning story about his family’s finances.
The suit, filed in 2021, accused the Times and reporters Susanne Craig, David Barstow, and Russell Buettner of conspiring with Trump’s estranged niece, Mary Trump, to obtain and publish confidential tax records. However, Judge Robert Reed ruled that the lawsuit against the Times and reporters was “baseless” and constituted a “strategic lawsuit against public participation” (SLAPP) designed to silence critics.
“Today’s decision shows that the state’s anti-SLAPP statute can be a powerful force for protecting press freedom,” said a Times spokesperson, referencing New York’s law barring lawsuits meant to stifle public criticism.
The ruling leaves Mary Trump as the sole defendant in the case. Trump claims she breached a settlement agreement by providing tax documents to the Times, which helped fuel their investigation. The documents reportedly revealed how Trump’s father, Fred Trump, gave him at least $413 million over decades, potentially through tax avoidance schemes.
Trump’s lawyer expressed disappointment in the dismissal of the Times and reporters but vowed to continue pursuing the case against Mary Trump. Her lawyers declined to comment.
The case has been closely watched for its implications on press freedom and Trump’s ongoing legal battles.
Car Crashes White House Gate, Driver Detained
U.S. authorities apprehended a driver on Monday evening after they crashed a vehicle into an exterior gate at the White House complex, raising concerns about a potential security breach. Secret Service officials confirmed the incident but have not yet determined whether it was an intentional attack or a simple traffic accident.
“Shortly before 6 p.m. ET, a vehicle collided with an exterior gate on the White House complex,” Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi wrote on social media. “The driver has been taken into custody, and we are investigating the cause and manner of the collision.”
President Biden was not in Washington at the time of the incident. The crash is believed to have occurred on the northeast side of the complex, near the intersection of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. While the vehicle was removed, the driver remains in custody as the investigation continues.
This incident adds to a growing list of security breaches at the White House in recent years. In 2017, a man scaled the fence and roamed the grounds for over 16 minutes before being apprehended. In 2014, a disturbed Army veteran armed with a knife jumped the fence and entered the building itself.
These incidents prompted the construction of a taller, sturdier metal fence around the complex in 2020. However, Monday’s incident underscores the ongoing challenges of securing the White House and protecting its occupants.
Officials declined to speculate on the driver’s motives or identify them at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as they become available.
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