The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the publication of discriminating against a white male employee who was denied a promotion. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the lawsuit on Tuesday, claiming the Times violated federal law by rejecting the unidentified employee's promotion application based on his race, sex, or both. The newspaper has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Background of the Case
President Donald Trump has frequently criticized The New York Times for its coverage of his administration. He previously sued the outlet for $15 billion, alleging defamation during his 2024 presidential campaign. The Times has called that lawsuit meritless. The current case centers on an employee who applied for a deputy real estate editor position in January 2025 but was not selected, according to the EEOC. The employee had worked as an editor at the Times since 2014, including on the business desk, where he contributed to real estate stories.
Details from the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, states that none of the final candidates for the job were white males. The candidate offered the position was a multiracial woman without experience in real estate journalism. The EEOC highlighted the Times' diversity and inclusion reports, which it says detailed efforts to make employment decisions based on race and sex to achieve demographic goals.
EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas stated, "The EEOC is prepared to root out discrimination anywhere it may rear its head. No matter the size or power of the employer, the EEOC under my leadership will not pull punches in ensuring evenhanded, colorblind enforcement of Title VII to protect America's workers, including white males." Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race or sex.
Response from The New York Times
The Times rejected the allegations, saying, "Our employment practices are merit-based and focused on recruiting and promoting the best talent in the world. We will defend ourselves vigorously." The publication added, "Neither race nor gender played a role in this decision – we hired the most qualified candidate, and she is an excellent editor. The New York Times's commitment to diversity in all its forms is longstanding and unwavering, as is our commitment to a fair and legal hiring process that does not discriminate against anyone."
The employee has been identified by another outlet, but The Independent has not verified his identity. The Times has recently drawn Trump's criticism over its coverage of the Iran war, with Trump calling the publication "fake news" on Truth Social.
