Payam Javan: Former President Donald Trump’s media company, Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Washington Post, seeking $3.78 billion in compensation. TMTG claims that the newspaper published an inaccurate and damaging article accusing the company of securities fraud and other misconduct, posing an “existential threat” to their Truth Social platform. The lawsuit alleges that The Washington Post has been engaged in a prolonged campaign against TMTG and has caused public humiliation, contempt, and a loss of trust for the company.

This lawsuit adds to a series of legal actions Trump has taken against media outlets. Previously, he filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN in 2022, seeking $475 million in punitive damages. Legal experts suggest that as a public figure, Trump faces a significant burden of proof in establishing defamation. In this latest case, The Washington Post has not yet responded to the allegations.

It is noteworthy that The Washington Post recently won two Pulitzer Prizes for its reporting from the previous year. TMTG’s lawsuit against the newspaper comes after Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit against Fox News was settled for $787.5 million, highlighting the increasing legal battles between media organizations and public figures. While the case against The New York Times was dismissed, Trump’s legal proceedings against The Washington Post continue, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the former president and major media outlets.