Donald Trump is seeking $475 million in damages from CNN, claiming the TV network smeared him "with a series of ever-more scandalous, false, and defamatory labels," including "Russian lackey" and "insurrectionist."
The case was filed with a federal court in Fort Lauderdale, southern Florida, around 40 miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago private members' club.
In the filing, Trump's legal team said: "Beyond simply highlighting any negative information about the Plaintiff [Trump] and ignoring all positive information about him, CNN has sought to use its massive influence—purportedly as a "trusted" news source—to defame the Plaintiff in the minds of its viewers and readers for the purpose of defeating him politically, culminating in CNN claiming credit for "[getting] Trump out" in the 2020 presidential election.
"CNN's campaign of dissuasion in the form of libel and slander against the Plaintiff has only escalated in recent months as CNN fears the Plaintiff will run for president in 2024."
The legal bid "doesn't have much chance," tweeted Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School.
Trump is continuing to say the 2020 presidential election was hit by "massive voter fraud," despite courts and independent polling experts rejecting his claims.
A September poll found the Democrats remain favorites to retain control of the Senate after the November midterms, though their chances have decreased a little.
CNN declined to comment on the case when contacted by news agency Reuters.
Newsweek has gone through the court filing and Trump's accompanying statement to give you five key points.
Trump Wants a Jury Trial and $475 Million in Damages
According to his legal team's court filing, Trump is seeking "a trial by jury."
The former president is seeking "punitive damages in the amount of $475,000,000.00," along with "all taxable litigation costs, pre-judgment interest, and post-judgment interest."
Trump is entitled to "punitive damages," according to the filing, because: "By comparing the Plaintiff [Trump] to violent dictators and repeatedly using inflammatory language, such as 'Trump's big lie,' CNN knowingly made false and defamatory statements about the Plaintiff, or at the very least, made those statements with reckless disregard for their truth or falsity, thereby acting with actual malice."
Trump Thinks It's Libelous to Label Him 'Hitler'
The court filing alleges CNN sought to "taint" Trump with a number of incendiary "labels," including a comparison to Adolf Hitler, the former dictator of Nazi Germany.
It reads: "As a part of its concerted effort to tilt the political balance to the Left, CNN has tried to taint the Plaintiff with a series of ever-more scandalous, false, and defamatory labels of 'racist,' 'Russian lackey,' 'insurrectionist,' and ultimately 'Hitler.'
"These labels are neither hyperbolic nor opinion: these are repeatedly reported as true fact, with purported factual support, by allegedly 'reputable' newscasters, acting not merely with reckless disregard for the truth of their statements (sufficient to meet the definition of the legal standard for 'actual malice') but acting with real animosity for the Plaintiff and seeking to cause him true harm (the way 'actual malice' commonly is understood)."
Trump Believes He Can Prove CNN Damaged His Reputation
Trump's lawyers think they can prove that CNN has damaged the former president's reputation via "viewer polls."
They say: "Injury to the Plaintiff's reputation is readily apparent, as evidenced by viewer responses to the statements and viewer polls regarding the Plaintiff.
"Indeed, animus toward the Plaintiff, the Plaintiff's family, and those who are associated with the Plaintiff, is well-recognized by the public."
Trump Thinks the Term 'Big Lie' Is Designed to Link Him With the Nazis
Trump believes CNN broadcasters have described his refusal to accept the 2020 presidential election result the "big lie" to link him with Hitler.
The filing states: "CNN has branded the Plaintiff as one who subscribes to the notion of the 'Big Lie.' The 'Big Lie' is a direct reference to a tactic employed by Adolf Hitler and appearing in Hitler's Mein Kampf.
"The 'Big Lie' was used by Hitler to incite hatred of the Jews and to convince people to ostracize Jewish people. It was an entire propaganda campaign to justify Jewish persecution and genocide.
"The phrase is not taken lightly and is not bandied about blithely. CNN anchors and commentators understand this. They have not used it against other political leaders and previously criticized political analogies to Nazi Germany and to Hitler."
Other Media Companies Will Face Defamation Cases From Trump
Trump posted a statement on Truth Social, his social-media site, explaining why he had launched legal action against CNN and warning other publications will face the same.
The statement said: "In the coming weeks and months we will also be filing lawsuits against a large number of other Fake News Media Companies for their lies, defamation, and wrongdoing, including as it pertains to 'The Big Lie,' that they used so often in reference to their disinformation attack on Presidential Election of 2020."
It also warned the house committee investigating the January 6 attack on Capitol Hill because they "REFUSED to investigate" Trump's claims of electoral fraud.
Newsweek has contacted Trump and CNN for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is covering U.S. politics and world ... Read more
