Trump Media and Technology Group, which owns the Truth Social platform, has filed a major legal action against the Washington Post.
The suit alleges that the Post defamed Truth Social in a recently published article, and the Trump-owned company is seeking an eye-watering $3.7 billion in damages.
The suit comes on the heels of a similar defamation settlement Fox News made with Dominion Voting Systems last month for $787.5 million.
“Plaintiff seeks (a) compensatory damages and punitive damages in the sum of $3,780,000,000.00 or such greater amount as is determined by the Jury, (b) prejudgment interest on the principal sum awarded by the Jury from May 13, 2023, to the date of Judgment at the rate of 6.58 percent per year, and (c) costs – arising out of Defendant’s defamation and conspiracy,” the suit says.
The suit alleges the Post “published an egregious hit piece that falsely accused TMTG of securities fraud and other wrongdoing and has been on a years-long crusade against TMTG characterized by the concealment of relevant information in its possession.”
“WaPo’s false criminal charges exposed TMTG to public ridicule, contempt and distrust, and injured TMTG’s business and reputation,” the suit says.
The suit addes, “WaPo has been on a years-long crusade against TMTG characterized by the concealment of relevant information in its possession—a bitterly ironic truth for a publication whose motto is “Democracy Dies in Darkness.”
“WaPo’s latest defamation creates an existential threat for TMTG, causing enormous loss,” the lawsuit continues.
“TMTG brings this case to recover special damages to its business and good will, actual injury to its name and reputation, and punitive damages for WaPo’s gross misconduct,” the suit says.
