Donald Trump Files $475-M Defamation Lawsuit Vs. CNN for 'Escalating Slander' Against Him Over 2024 Election Fears

Former U.S. President Donald Trump filed a $475 million defamation lawsuit against CNN and accused the media outlet of taking actions aimed at "defeating him politically."

NBC News reported that the lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that CNN maliciously made "false and defamatory" statements against Trump.

Trump is seeking $475 million in punitive damages and compensatory damages to be determined at trial.

Trump lawyers Lindsey Halligan and James M. Trusty wrote that CNN's campaign in the form of "libel and slander" against the former president has only "escalated" over fears of the media outlet that Trump will run in the 2024 elections.

Trump's lawyers further alleged that CNN used both "false" and "defamatory labels," such as "racist, Russian lackey, and insurrectionist."

The former president's legal team also made reference to what they said was "CNN's persistent association" of Trump with "Adolf Hitler and Nazism."

Donald Trump's $475 Million Lawsuit Against CNN

The 29-page lawsuit also mentioned CNN's on-air guests, such as singer Linda Ronstadt, according to The New York Times report.

The lawsuit also showed in its footnote that Trump's representatives contacted CNN in July to give notice of possible litigation and for them to stop referring to Trump's comments about the 2020 election as "lies."

The lawsuit stated that CNN declined Trump's request and replied that Trump's camp "has not identified a single false or defamatory statement in your letter."

It was not the first time the former president threatened a lawsuit against CNN. Trump made a threat in 2019 over "unethical and unlawful attacks," while CNN called it a "desperate P.R. stunt." At the time, a lawsuit was never filed.

Recently, Trump suggested that similar lawsuits would be filed against other news organizations, adding that he may also bring "appropriate action" against the House committee responsible for the January 6 attack probe.

PBS NewsHour noted that several published reports have claimed that new CNN chief Chris Licht had privately urged his news personnel in a meeting to refrain from using the phrase, saying that doing so is being too close to attempts of the Democrats to brand Trump.

Donald Trump in 2024 Election

No formal announcements had been made regarding the candidacy of Trump for the 2024 elections. However, some people, such as U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, believe that Trump has the chance to win.

Graham said in a CNBC News report that he believes the former president stands a "pretty good chance" of winning the 2024 elections for the presidency, saying it could be one of the "greatest political comebacks in American history."

The Republican senator also acknowledged that it may take more than policy pledges for Trump to regain the vote of the Americans.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Trump Sues CNN For Defamation - from NBC News