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.

  • Zier@fedia.io
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    2 hours ago

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

  • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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    8 hours 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.
    • BackwardMonkey@lemmy.world
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      5 hours ago

      They will make it legal for government to not only sue but prosecute and jail journalists. Fascist playbook.

  • Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.world
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    9 hours ago

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

  • errer@lemmy.world
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    8 hours ago

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