Donald Trump, President-elect of the United States.Photo: infoline.
Donald Trump, the US president-elect, has launched a large-scale legal campaign against several major media organisations, filing lawsuits totalling billions of dollars. His lawyers accuse these media outlets of contributing to the spread of defamatory materials that seriously damage his business reputation and political image, TimeUkraineIsrael portal reports with reference to Israel’s Channel 9.
Lawsuits against the New York Times and other media outlets
One of the main targets of Trump’s claims is the New York Times, which he accuses of trying to “defame and humiliate” his world-famous brand. The lawsuit claims that the newspaper deliberately published false information aimed at discrediting Trump as a candidate for the highest public office in the United States. The US president’s lawyers claim that the publications of this media outlet are part of a campaign of “manipulation and slander” that has become a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party.
Particular attention in the lawsuit is drawn to articles by New York Times authors Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt, Suzanne Craig and Russ Buettner, who, according to Trump, published “false and defamatory statements”. In addition, the lawsuit also touches upon Penguin Random House, which published the book The Lucky Loser, which, according to Trump’s lawyers, contains distorted information about the billionaire’s financial problems.
Lawsuits against CBS TV channel
Trump has also filed legal claims against CBS, accusing it of manipulating the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris on the 60 Minutes programme. Trump claims that this editing was done in such a way as to make him look bad and to distort information in order to influence voters. The lawyers believe that this act constitutes interference in the electoral process and deception.
CBS responded by saying that the lawsuit was “completely unfounded” and promised to “vigorously defend itself” in court, refuting the allegations of manipulation of the interview.
Lawsuits against the Daily Beast and the Washington Post
Other claims were made by Trump against the Daily Beast website, which, according to his adviser Chris Lasivita, published an article falsely claiming that he had received $22 million “fraudulently” for his work in the Trump campaign. Although the amount was reduced to $19 million after a warning letter, the lawyers believe that the article itself is defamatory and does not change the overall substance of the material.
Trump also filed a claim against the Washington Post, accusing the newspaper of supporting Kamala Harris’ campaign through publications that Trump believed were substitutes for paid advertising. In this case, the lawsuit was filed with the Federal Election Commission, not the court. The Washington Post rejected these claims, calling them “inappropriate and unfounded”.
Party influence on the media landscape
Trump’s campaign is not limited to accusations of defamation. It also includes his fight against the media empires, which, according to his lawyers, have become part of the political struggle by interfering in the electoral process and spreading biased information. Trump and his team are trying to show that modern media have become political tools that manipulate information to destroy political opponents.
These lawsuits mark a new stage in Trump’s fight against the media, which requires close monitoring of further developments, as they could have far-reaching implications for freedom of speech and the US election process.
