Libel Law

Trump’s Murdoch Libel Suit May Backfire: Discovery Phase Could Be Devastating

Trump may rue the day he sued Murdoch for libel over Epstein’s birthday card. The whole situation is ripe with potential for things to go sideways for the former president, and it’s hard not to see the delicious irony in it all. Trump, a man who’s built a career on suing others, now finds himself in a legal battle with someone who’s arguably his equal in terms of power and wealth: Rupert Murdoch. It’s a fascinating matchup, to say the least.

The core of the issue, the alleged libel, stems from a story about a birthday card Trump supposedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier.… Continue reading

Supreme Court Rejects Trump Ally’s Bid to Weaken Press Freedoms

The Supreme Court’s rejection of another challenge to the “actual malice” standard upholds the precedent set in *Times v. Sullivan*, protecting public figures from libel suits unless actual malice is proven. This standard prevents wealthy individuals and powerful entities from silencing criticism through litigation. Conversely, private individuals suing for defamation need only demonstrate the falsity of the information and resulting reputational harm. Justice Thomas’s dissent, however, suggests ongoing debate surrounding the “actual malice” standard’s application.

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