Summary

Donald Trump has launched a series of legal actions against major news outlets, including the New York Times, CBS News, and the Washington Post, demanding billions in damages for alleged defamatory coverage.

A letter from Trump’s attorney accuses the Times of engaging in “industrial-scale libel” and targets articles scrutinizing Trump’s business and political conduct.

Legal complaints have also been filed over CBS’s alleged pro-Kamala Harris edits and Washington Post articles purportedly aiding her campaign.

Legal experts warn that such litigation could have a “chilling effect” on journalism, especially for smaller outlets.

  • FlowVoid@lemmy.worldEnglish
    611·
    2 days ago

    A few observations:

    • This won’t be the first time those media outlets have been sued for libel. It’s a common enough occurrence that they keep lawyers around ready to litigate. So this isn’t as chilling as Trump might hope.
    • Litigation means discovery. If Trump wants to win, he’ll have to turn over his private records to NYT lawyers. If he refuses then his case will be thrown out.
    • Once Trump takes office, it will be harder to pull this kind of crap. Only private individuals can sue for defamation, the government cannot.
      • Sanctus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        31·
        2 days ago

        No, its just we won’t be converting then. We will BE an authoritarian nation when everything gets much worse.

  • ayyy@sh.itjust.works
    12·
    2 days ago

    But they repeatedly promised while campaigning that they are the party of free speech! Surely they didn’t just lie to my face??

    • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      2 days ago

      They are for freezed peach like the Nazis are for “peace” - if there is no opposition, those in agreement (and are the “right” kind of people) can have all the free speech and peace they want.

  • Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.world
    491·
    3 days ago

    They already normalized your hate and idiocy, you mad they called you out on the Opinion pages?

  • Zier@fedia.io
    16·
    2 days ago

    There is a razor sharp golden sword that will be wielded against the government called the First Amendment. Fuck off orange pumpkin!

    • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world
      162·
      2 days ago

      When the idiots have captured essentially every branch of the government there’s no one left who will bother enforcing the constitution against themselves.

  • errer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    271·
    2 days ago

    Washington Post? Wasn’t Bezos licking your orange taint by silencing his editorial department enough of a payoff?