FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Former President Donald Trump is alleging CNN is conducting a "campaign of dissuasion" against him in order to defame him and ruin his political career.
Donald J. Trump filed a complaint Oct. 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida n against Cable News Network, Inc., alleging defamation and other claims.
Trump alleges in his complaint that CNN uses its "massive influence" to defame him for the purpose of defeating him politically and for "claiming credit for '(getting) Trump out' in the 2020 presidential election." He further claims CNN has orchestrated a "campaign of dissuasion" that constitutes libel and slander against him as the network "fears" he will run for president in 2024.
Specifically, Trump alleges CNN has "tainted" him with a series of "scandalous, false and defamatory" labels of racist, "Russian lackey, insurrectionist and Hitler." He further alleges CNN uses the labels as "true fact" supported by "reputable" newscasters particularly with its "Special Report" that aired on Jan, 9, 2022 during which he was compared to the "ascendancy of Hitler."
Trump alleges that despite CNN's anchor of the special report stating "Let's be very clear. Donald Trump is not Adolf Hitler" the disclaimer was "lost in an otherwise direct and graphic analogy." Trump further alleges CNN reporting is intended to interfere with his political career and has caused reputational harm.
Trump seeks monetary relief of $475 million, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Attorneys Lindsey Halligan in Fort Lauderdale and James Trusty of Ifrah Law PLLC in Washington, D.C.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Fort Lauderdale Division case number 0:22-CV-61842-AHS