Carle Jasmin & Arnaud Pontin (Image : AI / Gay Globe)
Last night, or rather early in the night, President Donald Trump published a highly threatening message directed at host Trevor Noah, who was presenting the Grammy Awards last night. Trump did not appreciate the host publicly stating that Trump had been seen on Epstein Island, which Trump claims is false, and published this message on his Truth Social account:
The Grammy Awards are the WORST, practically impossible to watch! CBS is lucky it no longer has to broadcast this garbage on its airwaves. The host, Trevor Noah, whoever that is, is almost as bad as Jimmy Kimmel at the low-rated Academy Awards. Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island, FALSE!!! I was never on Epstein Island, not even close, and I was never accused of being there, not even by the Fake News. Noah, a real loser, would do better to check his facts, and fast. Looks like I’m going to send my lawyers to sue this poor pathetic talentless nobody, this lousy host, and the others — ask them how it ended for them. Ask little George Slopadopolus, and the others, how it went. Ask CBS as well! Get ready Noah, I’m going to have fun with you! President DJT
The list of threats and lawsuits from Donald Trump is almost infinite, and they are always linked to criticism directed at him, even when it takes the form of humor. Because, as we know, Donald Trump does not like to be criticized, only adored.
Formal legal actions filed by Trump
According to ChatGPT, the list of lawsuits and threats is long and consistently aims to financially weaken an individual or a company. Still according to ChatGPT:
$10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and the Treasury Department (2026)
Donald Trump, along with his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, filed a federal lawsuit in Florida against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, seeking damages for the leak of his tax returns and for harm to his reputation and political interests; the case also explicitly names former IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn, who was convicted for having disclosed this data.
Lawsuits against media outlets and private companies
Threats and lawsuits against media organizations
BBC: Trump threatened or initiated legal action against the British Broadcasting Corporation, claiming that its report or documentary distorted his speech to suggest that he had incited violence on January 6; he reportedly mentioned damages amounting to several billion dollars.
Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones: He filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, its publisher Dow Jones, Rupert Murdoch, and journalists for defamation related to an article about a controversial drawing associated with Jeffrey Epstein.
The New York Times, its journalists, and publisher Penguin Random House: In 2025, Trump filed a $15 billion lawsuit against the Times, several of its reporters, and the publisher of a book he considers defamatory and biased.
Threats of lawsuits against individuals
Trevor Noah: Trump explicitly threatened to sue comedian Trevor Noah after a joke at the Grammy Awards involving insinuations about Trump and Jeffrey Epstein; Trump denied the allegations and described the remarks as defamatory.
Michael Wolff: He reportedly threatened legal action against journalist Michael Wolff, accusing him of conspiring to politically harm him in the context of revelations linked to Epstein.
Other aggressive measures or state-level threats (not always civil lawsuits)
Trump has also deployed executive actions or regulatory threats, which are not lawsuits strictly speaking against a civil entity but target companies or law firms:
Targeted decisions against law firms such as Perkins Coie, with restrictions on contracts or government access deemed “hostile”.
A memorandum targeting Marc Elias and his firm to discourage litigation against the administration.
Vexatious litigation and legal measures in Quebec
In Quebec, there are laws and measures that courts can implement to limit the ability of individuals to file large numbers of abusive lawsuits against entities, regardless of the reasons.
First, a court may declare an individual a vexatious or querulous litigant. A vexatious or querulous litigant refers to a person who repeatedly and abusively initiates legal proceedings, often without real merit, with the goal of harassing, exhausting, or annoying opponents rather than seeking genuine justice.
This behavior is generally recognized by courts as a form of abuse of the judicial system and may lead to sanctions designed to prevent such dilatory lawsuits from unnecessarily harming others.
Quebec’s anti-SLAPP law
According to ChatGPT, Quebec’s anti-SLAPP law, officially called the Act to strengthen the protection of freedom of expression in matters of public participation, came into force on September 1, 2023. It aims to protect citizens, journalists, activists, and other participants in public debates from abusive lawsuits known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), meaning lawsuits intended to intimidate or silence them.
Main objective
To prevent individuals or companies from using civil justice to stifle freedom of expression on matters of public interest by filing frivolous, dilatory, or vexatious lawsuits.
Key mechanisms of Quebec’s anti-SLAPP law
Shifting the burden of proof
The plaintiff must demonstrate that the claim is based on serious grounds and not solely intended to silence the person speaking out.
Accelerated procedure to dismiss abusive lawsuits
As soon as a targeted party invokes the anti-SLAPP law, the court must quickly examine whether the lawsuit seeks to restrict freedom of expression related to participation in a public forum, such as a political debate, a discussion about a project, or media criticism. If so, the claim may be dismissed outright.
Enhanced protection of freedom of expression
The law protects all expression related to a public forum, including positions taken in the media, on social networks, at public meetings, or during government consultations.
Sanctions against abusive plaintiffs
If a lawsuit is deemed abusive under the anti-SLAPP law, the court may order the plaintiff to pay the legal costs of the targeted party, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
Similar measures in the United States
In the United States, the term vexatious litigant refers to a person who abuses the judicial system by filing multiple frivolous lawsuits without serious legal grounds, often with the aim of harassing or exhausting opponents. U.S. courts may then impose restrictions on such individuals, such as requiring special authorization before initiating new legal proceedings.
Regarding Donald Trump, several observers and legal experts have pointed to his frequent use of lawsuits or threats of lawsuits against individuals, media outlets, or companies, sometimes in response to criticism or comments he finds displeasing, including humorous ones. Some believe this legal strategy resembles a form of vexatious litigation, as it appears aimed less at obtaining justice than at intimidating or wearing down opponents.
However, in a political and media context as complex as this one, officially labeling Donald Trump a “vexatious litigant” is delicate. It requires a precise legal assessment, particularly because his actions are highly publicized, linked to his public stature, and the proceedings initiated may have varying degrees of legal merit.
Notable examples
Here are some notable examples in which lawsuits or legal threats initiated by Donald Trump have been perceived as vexatious or abusive by some observers and experts:
Lawsuits against the media
Trump has often threatened or sued several media outlets, such as The New York Times, CNN, or individual journalists, in response to critical articles. These proceedings were sometimes viewed as attempts at intimidation intended to deter criticism rather than to defend a clear legal injury.
The Summer Zervos case
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, accused Trump of sexual assault and filed a civil lawsuit against him. Trump attempted to have the case dismissed by invoking presidential immunity, but the proceedings were lengthy and highly publicized. Some saw this approach as a strategic use of the judicial system to delay or weaken the claims.
Lawsuits against former associates and whistleblowers
Trump threatened or sued several former collaborators or whistleblowers who published sensitive or critical information about him. These actions were sometimes interpreted as a way to discourage any unfavorable revelations through legal intimidation.
Defamation lawsuits against his opponents
Trump filed several defamation lawsuits against political figures, journalists, or adversaries, often perceived as attempts to silence opposition or create a chilling effect, even when these claims were considered legally weak.
These examples illustrate a tendency to frequently use the judicial system, sometimes with little chance of success, as a means of pressure or retaliation. This behavior is close to the notion of a vexatious litigant, even though, legally, courts must evaluate each case individually.
In all the cases mentioned, nothing seems capable of preventing the President of the United States from using threats and the courts to control what is said about him. It is likely that he will continue to act this way until he leaves the White House — and even afterward, nothing will stop him, as his financial resources far outweigh those of his opponents.
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