September 19, 2025

Martina Navratilova, the 79-year-old tennis superstar, has blasted Donald Trump for his giant $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times. This explosive legal battle kicked off on Monday, September 16, 2025, in a Florida court where Trump accused the newspaper, four of its reporters, and Penguin Random House of defaming him and meddling in the 2024 election. Reacting sharply on X (formerly Twitter), Navratilova wrote, “This is a combination of intimidation and pure lunacy.” She hinted that Trump’s huge lawsuit aims to scare and silence the media with a show of power. Trump’s lawsuit claims that The New York Times published false stories about his business dealings and wealth. He also objects to the paper openly supporting Kamala Harris before the 2024 election. The reporters sued include Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker, and Michael S. Schmidt. Adding to the drama, Trump targeted publisher Penguin Random House for releasing the book "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success," which he says defamed him and harmed his image. The case touches on big issues of free speech and press freedom. Trump filed the suit in U.S. District Court claiming that the coverage hurt his reputation, damaged his company, and influenced the election outcomes. Remember, Trump served as both the 45th and 47th President of the United States. But The New York Times fired back, calling the lawsuit “meritless” and promised to keep defending their reporting. Many free press groups also raised red flags, warning that such lawsuits could chill journalists and turn newsrooms quiet through fear. Martina Navratilova's fiery words have added fuel to this hot debate. By labeling the case “intimidation,” she shines a spotlight on the big dangers facing free media today. This clash shows how, in America, sports stars and politics often meet at the crossroads of the biggest fights for truth and fairness.

Read More at Timesofindia →

Tags: Donald trump, Martina navratilova, New york times, Lawsuit, Free press, Media intimidation,