Justin Baldoni vs. The New York Times: A Legal Showdown Explained
Hollywood lawsuits can get complicated, but the ongoing saga involving Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and The New York Times is a tangled web of accusations and counter-suits. Just when it seemed one chapter was closing, another one opened. Now, in a dramatic reversal, The New York Times is suing Justin Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios.
So, how did we get here? Let’s break down this messy legal battle.
First, A Quick Recap of the Drama
It all started with the film It Ends With Us. Blake Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her costar and director, Justin Baldoni. This sparked major media attention.
In December 2024, The New York Times published a detailed article about the situation titled “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” Baldoni and his associates were not happy. They claimed the article was a one-sided “smear” that unfairly painted Lively as the sole victim.
In response, Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios, did two things: they countersued Blake Lively for $400 million and sued The New York Times for $250 million, alleging defamation.
The Tables Turn: Baldoni’s Lawsuits Get Tossed
Baldoni’s legal strategy hit a major roadblock in June 2025. A judge, Lewis J. Liman, dismissed both of his lawsuits.
Why? In simple terms, the judge ruled that Baldoni’s team couldn’t prove that The New York Times or Lively’s team knowingly made false statements with malicious intent. The statements made in Lively’s original complaint were considered legally protected, and Baldoni’s team failed to show that the newspaper had serious doubts about the truth of its reporting.
It was a huge legal defeat for Baldoni, and it paved the way for the next big twist.
Why Is The New York Times Suing Back?
After having Baldoni’s defamation case dismissed, The New York Times decided to go on the offensive. In September 2025, the publication filed its own lawsuit against Wayfarer Studios to get back at least $150,000 in legal fees.
This new lawsuit leans on something called an anti-SLAPP law. It sounds complicated, but the idea is simple. These laws are designed to protect people and publications from being silenced by frivolous lawsuits meant to intimidate them.
Think of it like this: if someone files a baseless lawsuit just to scare you and make you spend a ton of money on lawyers, an anti-SLAPP law allows you to get that money back once you win.
The New York Times is arguing that Baldoni’s lawsuit had no real legal basis and was just an attempt to harass them for their reporting. By suing him back, they are sending a clear message that they won’t be bullied by what they consider a meritless legal attack.
What’s Next in This Hollywood Saga?
Baldoni’s camp isn’t backing down. His lawyer stated they “refuse to cave to power brokers” and will continue their “pursuit of truth.” This signals that even with these setbacks, they are ready for a long fight.
And don’t forget the original case that started it all! Blake Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni is still moving forward, with a trial expected to begin in March 2026.
This legal battle has become a classic case of the hunter becoming the hunted. What started as Baldoni’s attempt to clear his name has now put his own company in the legal crosshairs.
What do you think about this wild turn of events? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below