Trump Social Media Firm Files $3.78 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against Washington Post

Former President Donald Trump’s social media company, Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Washington Post, seeking $3.78 billion in damages.

The lawsuit, filed in Sarasota County, Florida, accuses the newspaper of publishing a false and damaging article that poses an “existential threat” to TMTG’s Truth Social platform. According to the suit, The Washington Post published an “egregious hit piece” that wrongfully accused TMTG of securities fraud and other wrongdoing. It alleges that the newspaper has engaged in a long-standing campaign against TMTG by concealing relevant information in its possession. The Washington Post has yet to respond to the lawsuit as of Sunday.

The suit argues that the Post’s false criminal charges have caused TMTG to suffer public ridicule, contempt, and a loss of trust, thereby damaging the company’s business and reputation.

The legal action by Trump Media and Technology Group follows The Washington Post’s recent receipt of two Pulitzer Prizes for its reporting in the previous year. Additionally, Fox News recently settled a $1.2 billion defamation lawsuit brought against them by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million.

In 2020, his campaign filed separate libel suits against The Washington Post and The New York Times over opinion pieces linking the campaign to Russian electoral interference. The lawsuit against The New York Times was dismissed, while the case against The Washington Post is still pending. Trump’s campaign also filed a libel suit against CNN in 2020, which was later dismissed.

The lawsuit against The Washington Post adds to a series of litigious actions by former President Donald Trump against media organizations. In 2022, Trump sued CNN for defamation, seeking $475 million in punitive damages. However, legal experts believe that Trump faces a high standard of proof to establish defamation due to his status as a public figure.