Laws exist for libel and slander. People can't just make up nasty stuff without repercussions.
One would think so, as that's a reasonable position.
New York Times Company v. Sullivan set the bar very high, however, for comments about public figures: "When a statement concerns a public figure, the Court held, it is not enough to show that it is false for the press to be liable for libel. Instead, the target of the statement must show that it was made with knowledge of or reckless disregard for its falsity."
In practice, it has been very difficult to prove "reckless disregard for its falsity" regardless of who has said what about whom, as long as "whom" is a public figure.
That
Nick Sandmann was
not a public figure may have made the Post leery of a trial, although it's also possible that suit was settled for very low sum.