Former President Donald Trump announced in a statement on Wednesday that he intends to file a lawsuit against CNN "over their repeated defamatory statements against" him.
"I have notified CNN of my intent to file a lawsuit over their repeated defamatory statements against me," Trump said in the statement. "I will also be commencing actions against other media outlets who have defamed me and defrauded the public regarding the overwhelming evidence of fraud throughout the 2020 Election. I will never stop fighting for the truth and for the future of our Country!"
Trump's attorneys sent a 282-page notice letter to CNN executives on July 21, accusing the network of making "false statements" about Trump in "numerous articles and televised transmissions."
The notice calls for CNN to "publish a full and fair correction, apology, or retraction" to all of the cited examples within 10 days of the notice.
"Failure to publish such a correction, apology, or retraction will result in the filing of a lawsuit and damages being sought against you, CNN," the notice said.
Many of the examples relate to CNN's coverage of Trump's claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him, in which the network said Trump's claims were "lies" and they referred to him as a "liar."
"Without regard for President Trump’s genuine belief in his statements, CNN has published numerous articles characterizing him as a 'liar' and the purveyor of the 'Big Lie,'" the notice said.
Related
"By refusing to acknowledge President Trump could be correct or that he could genuinely believe his contention is correct, CNN has willfully acted in disregard for the truth and has acted with reckless disregard for the truth," the notice added. "CNN’s relentless and willful campaign to brand President Trump a 'liar' and purveyor of the 'Big Lie' is defamatory in nature"
Since losing the 2020 election, Trump has continued to say that it was stolen from him or rigged against him.
Other examples in the notice included CNN's coverage of Trump during the 2016 election, in which they suggested Russian interference helped Trump win the election and referred to him as an "illegitimate" president.
"Trump has also previously argued the United States should change its libel laws to make it easier to sue the media and authors over their work," according to The Hill.
The notice went on to claim that CNN used the phrase "Big Lie" about 7,700 times when talking about Trump, and pointed out that the company's new CEO Chris Licht has told producers and anchors to stop using the phrase. Licht reportedly discussed that on a conference call with producers and management in June, according to the New York Post.
"CNN is estimated to have used the “Big Lie” phrase or to characterize President Trump as lying roughly 7,700 times during broadcasted television shows and repeats of those shows," the notice said. "These defamatory comments have continued even after the new CEO of CNN apparently urged production teams to stop."
Down the Audacy app and follow 97.1 FM Talk.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Related
Related
