President Donald Trump has a tendency to reject facts that contradict his internal narratives. The latest fact he had to refuse was a Florida federal judge throwing out his lawsuit against the New York Times and giving his legal team the chance to refile the lawsuit in a less unprofessional manner. Trump, however, still insists that this is actually “winning” that we’re witnessing.
In his second term, Trump has spent a significant amount of his power on vindictive pursuits. The basis of his $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times is that the paper wrote unfavorable stories about him, which he feels almost cost him the presidency — almost, because he obviously won anyway. So the president filed an 85-page lawsuit that a federal judge saw as largely irrelevant to the complaint he seeks to be reimbursed for, so his lawyers were ordered to refine their filing into 40 pages with a concise submission.
Some experts read that as a warning, and the fact that Trump was only given 28 days to refile is very suggestive that some judges are running out of patience with Trump’s endless petulant complaints. However, there’s also a possibility that Trump could be using the lawsuits as a way to intimidate his adversaries. ABC and CBS have already settled their other lawsuits after all, and some talk show hosts have even been caught in the crosshairs of these networks, choosing not to stand up to the president.
ABC’s Jon Karl has, however, chosen to keep asking the president the tough questions even though Trump sometimes responds with thinly veiled threats. This time, he was simply reminding Trump that not all his battles against the media have gone his way because he just had his lawsuit against the New York Times thrown out of court. Trump responded, “I’m winning. I’m winning the cases. The reason I’m winning is because you’re guilty. ABC is a terrible network. Very unfair.”
TRUMP: That's why I sued the New York Times two days ago for a lot of money
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 19, 2025
KARL: A judge just threw that out
TRUMP: I'm winning. I'm winning the cases. pic.twitter.com/svLZbTuQR4
On X, the users who commented on the situation were very analytical about what could possibly be going on in the president’s brain. One user assumed the president must have a short-term memory. But another user commented that the media only has itself to blame because, the way they see it, both Paramount and ABC had a good case against the president but chose to settle. And instead of placating the president, it just emboldened him, and that’s why there’s now such a hostile environment for the press.
Thanks, Karl, that was brave! The next reporter should’ve followed up: you claim you’re winning, but the judge threw it out, that means you lost.
— Human
If he lies again, next reporter would ask, “How are you winning when the judge tossed your case?” Pretty sure they teach that in…(@4HumanUnity) September 19, 2025
Trump: “I sued the New York Times two days ago.”
— jorco
Karl: “A judge just threw it out.”
Trump: “I’m winning… ABC is guilty.”
The man’s short-term memory is so shot he forgets he just lost — and starts blaming ABC for a case against the NYT.
That’s not legal strategy. That’s…(@connydieckman) September 20, 2025
ABC and Paramount settling with him were mistakes. They had good legal arguments but caved. Now they’ve created a hostile environment for themselves.
— Jason (@JLemus) September 20, 2025
That being said, the president just continued with his tirades against people in media who don’t like him — this time from his Truth Social account. He chose to respond to David Letterman, who recently blamed him for Kimmel’s suspension. In between ads for his cryptocurrency and ads for pillows, Trump called Letterman a loser because his ratings were also never any good. David Letterman retired in 2015.
This man belongs in a rubber room in a mental hospital. Really. pic.twitter.com/GLAayWkEod
— Spiro’s Ghost (@AntiToxicPeople) September 20, 2025
Trump’s vindictiveness will never change — beyond him as a leader of a nation, this has always been part and parcel of his personality. And he will do anything to craft the downfall of anyone he has an issue with. Institutions just need to be stronger than that. Media companies need to learn from judges.
