CBS moves to dismiss $20 billion Trump lawsuit
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CBS on Thursday filed two motions to dismiss an amended complaint to the lawsuit filed against it by President Trump before he took office last October.
Why it matters: CBS is under extraordinary pressure to resolve its legal battle with the president as it awaits regulatory approval for a merger between its parent company Paramount and Skydance Media.
Catch up quick: The two motions were filed to dismiss an amendment to Trump's lawsuit filed against CBS last October.
- The original lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas, alleges CBS engaged in "voter interference" in its editing of a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris.
- Trump originally sought $10 billion in damages. In his amendment filed last month, he increased his claim against CBS to $20 billion.
Zoom in: CBS argues the case should be dismissed for a lack of personal and subject-matter jurisdiction as well as improper venue. Alternatively, the broadcaster asked to transfer to the case to the Southern District of New York.
- "This lawsuit is an affront to the First Amendment and is without basis in law or fact," one CBS filing reads. "Plaintiffs President Donald J. Trump and Representative Ronny Jackson, public officials at the highest ranks of our government, seek to punish a news organization for constitutionally protected editorial judgments they do not like."
- "They not only ask for $20 billion in damages but also seek an order directing how a news organization may exercise its editorial judgment in the future. The First Amendment stands resolutely against these demands," that filing continues.
For the record: "President Trump is committed to holding those who traffic in fake news, hoaxes and lies to account. CBS and Paramount committed the worst kind of election interference and fraud in the closing days of the most important presidential election in history. President Trump will pursue this vital matter to its just and rightful conclusion," Trump attorney Ed Paltzik said in a statement to Axios.
What to watch: Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr has opened an investigation into CBS over the Harris interview editing situation that President Trump sued the network over.
