Bob Woodward Wins Dismissal of Trump’s $50 Million Audiobook Lawsuit

Bob Woodward Wins Dismissal of Trump’s $50 Million Audiobook Lawsuit

Introduction

A federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against journalist Bob Woodward, his publisher Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Global. The lawsuit claimed copyright infringement over the publication of tapes from interviews for Woodward’s 2020 best-seller Rage as an audiobook.

Factual Background

Woodward interviewed Trump 19 times between December 2019 and August 2020, and about 20% of Rage came from these interviews. The audiobook The Trump Tapes was released in October 2022, featuring Woodward’s commentary.

Procedural Background

Trump sued in January 2023, claiming he told Woodward repeatedly that the interviews were meant solely for the book. Woodward argued that federal law barred Trump from copyrighting interviews conducted as part of his official duties.

Reasoning & Analysis

The judge, Paul Gardephe, stated that Trump did not plausibly allege that he and Woodward intended to be joint authors of The Trump Tapes. The judge further held that federal copyright law preempted Trump’s state law-based claims.

Findings

The judge dismissed the lawsuit, giving Trump until August 18, 2025 to amend his complaint a third time. Trump’s legal team has indicated they plan to continue fighting the decision.

Implications

The decision is a victory for Woodward, Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Global. The case highlights the complexities of copyright law and the challenges of asserting ownership over interviews.

Final Outcome

The lawsuit was dismissed, with the judge allowing Trump to amend his complaint.