A federal appeals court panel upheld the dismissal of Donald Trump’s $475 million defamation lawsuit against CNN, deeming his claims “unpersuasive” and “meritless.” The lawsuit stemmed from CNN’s use of the term “the Big Lie” to describe Trump’s claims of election fraud, a phrase the court found did not constitute a false statement of fact. The court rejected Trump’s argument, stating that the term was a subjective interpretation of his actions. This marks another legal defeat for Trump in his attempts to sue media outlets over their coverage of his claims.
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Internal surveys from Fox News employees, released as part of a defamation lawsuit, revealed concerns about the network’s editorial standards and the conduct of prominent hosts. Anonymous employees expressed worries that the network favored Donald Trump and the Republican Party, with some questioning their morals and the network’s integrity. These comments, drawn from a 2020 survey, reflect a desire for more factual reporting and less “hateful rhetoric,” particularly from opinion hosts. Despite these concerns, Fox maintains the responses are irrelevant to the lawsuit’s focus on the 2020 election coverage and that the company had been previously certified as a good place to work.
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Following the dismissal of his initial defamation lawsuit, Donald Trump has filed an amended 40-page complaint against The New York Times, Penguin Random House, and two reporters, while maintaining a $15 billion compensatory damages claim and seeking punitive damages. The amended complaint presents an itemized list of allegations, referencing specific publications and statements. The suit, filed in Florida, revises a previous suit that was dismissed due to its excessive length and redundant content. The legal action pertains to news articles and a book discussing Trump’s work on “The Apprentice” and his inheritance, alleging factual inaccuracies in the reporting.
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A judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” The judge determined that Lamar’s lyrics, which accused Drake of being a “certified pedophile,” were “nonactionable opinion” within the context of a rap battle. Drake’s spokesperson confirmed plans to appeal the ruling, while UMG expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The judge highlighted the ongoing feud as a “war of words” and noted that Drake’s earlier song, “Taylor Made Freestyle,” invited Lamar to make the very accusations featured in “Not Like Us.”
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A federal judge dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, citing violations of rules requiring a clear and concise explanation for relief. Judge Steven Merryday deemed the 85-page complaint excessive and unsuitable for presenting arguments, giving Trump 28 days to submit a revised complaint. The lawsuit, focusing on a book and articles by The New York Times reporters, accused the outlet of “defamatory and disparaging statements.” The New York Times responded by stating that the lawsuit lacks merit and is an attempt to stifle independent reporting.
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In response to the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday book, which allegedly included a message and lewd drawing attributed to Donald Trump, the former president has dismissed the issue as “dead.” Trump initially denied the existence of the message before shifting his defense to question the authenticity of the signature. Despite this, analysis of Trump’s signatures indicates the handwriting aligns with other known examples. The White House has since denied that the message or the signature is Trump’s, with Trump filing a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over the initial reporting.
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Following Hunter Biden’s repetition of a disputed claim about Jeffrey Epstein introducing Melania Trump to her husband, the former first lady threatened a $1 billion defamation lawsuit. President Donald Trump revealed he encouraged Melania to pursue legal action and even offered the use of his lawyers. This stemmed from Biden’s interview where he repeated the allegation that Epstein introduced the Trumps, leading to Melania’s demand for a retraction and apology, which Biden refused. Biden’s response to the demand was defiance and a refusal to apologize.
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According to a New York Times report, Donald Trump penned a note to Jeffrey Epstein in 1997, calling him “the greatest.” Trump’s name also appeared on a list of contributors for Epstein’s 2003 birthday book. This alleged connection has reignited scrutiny surrounding the relationships between high-profile individuals and the disgraced financier. Amidst this controversy, Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal after the paper reported on a sexually suggestive drawing allegedly signed by Trump for Epstein’s birthday.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have initiated a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens in Delaware, US, due to Owens’ claims that the French first lady was born male. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, accuses Owens of spreading false and defamatory information on her podcast and social media channels, including the claim that the Macrons are blood relatives and that the French President was installed by a CIA plot. The Macrons’ attorneys stated that they had requested a retraction from Owens, but resorted to legal action after she refused. The suit seeks unspecified damages and requires the Macrons to prove “actual malice” under US law.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have initiated a defamation lawsuit in the U.S. against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, contesting her claims that the First Lady is male. The Macrons allege Owens’ statements, which include the false assertion that Brigitte Macron was born under a different name, constitute a campaign of global humiliation intended to boost her podcast and fan base. The lawsuit highlights the Macrons’ rejection of Owens’ refusal to retract the defamatory statements, which included allegations about the couple’s personal history. The case is notable as a rare instance of a world leader pursuing a defamation claim, navigating the high legal standards required for public figures in U.S. courts.
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John Q. Hosedrinker