Former President Donald Trump has reportedly filed a massive defamation lawsuit against CNN. According to The New York Post, the suit seeks $475 million in punitive damages.
Trump alleges that the network used its influence to defeat him politically. He also alleges that CNN has ramped up its attacks on him in recent months out of fear that he will run again in 2024.
Trump is facing a multitude of legal challenges including a criminal investigation from the U.S. Justice Department for his allegedly concealing classified documents.
In August, federal agents raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence looking for any evidence related to the case. Last month, New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Trump and some of his children accusing them of lying to banks and insurers over the value of his assets.
“As a part of its concerted effort to tilt the political balance to the left, CNN has tried to taint the Plaintiff with a series of ever-more scandalous, false, and defamatory labels of ‘racist,’ ‘Russian lackey,’ ‘insurrectionist,’ and ultimately ‘Hitler,’” the lawsuit claims.
A Congressional committee is currently investigating Trump’s alleged role in the Jan 6 Capitol riots.