MSNBC - Trump exposes his real motivation with ill-considered lawsuit against newspaper
Donald Trump has escalated his legal battles against the media, settling a $50 million defamation lawsuit with ABC News over a misstatement by anchor George Stephanopoulos. The lawsuit was likely intended to silence critics rather than address legal distinctions. Trump also filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and pollster Selzer, not for defamation, but under Iowa's Consumer Fraud Protection laws, claiming the poll was manipulated to make him look bad. This lawsuit appears unfounded and is seen as a tactic to deter negative press. The Des Moines Register, owned by Gannett, is financially vulnerable due to cuts by its private equity owners, making it difficult to fight costly legal battles. Trump's actions are part of a broader strategy to intimidate the press, with potential implications for press freedom if such tactics are adopted by government entities like the DOJ.
Key Points:
- Trump settled a $50 million defamation lawsuit with ABC News, likely to silence critics.
- He filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register under consumer fraud laws, claiming poll manipulation.
- The lawsuit against the Register is seen as a tactic to deter negative press, not a genuine legal claim.
- Gannett, the Register's owner, is financially strained, making it hard to fight costly lawsuits.
- Trump's legal actions could set a precedent for government intimidation of the press.