Is the liberal media facing a Trump-aligned pushback? Chris LaCivita, a top Trump campaign strategist, is taking The Daily Beast to court over what he claims was false reporting about campaign funds that damaged his professional reputation. And he’s got a great case.
At a glance:
• Chris LaCivita, senior Trump political adviser, filed a defamation lawsuit against The Daily Beast
• The disputed article initially claimed LaCivita made $22 million from the Trump campaign, later revised to $19.2 million
• LaCivita argues the money went primarily for advertising, not personal gain
• The lawsuit alleges the reporting damaged his reputation as an “honest, reasonable, and ethical political operative”
• The Daily Beast refuses further retractions and calls the lawsuit “meritless” and an attempt to “intimidate” the press
Trump Adviser Fights Back Against Media
Chris LaCivita, a senior political adviser for President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, has taken legal action against The Daily Beast, alleging the liberal news outlet published “malicious” reporting about him during the election cycle. The lawsuit, filed Monday, claims the publication acted with “reckless disregard for the truth” in its portrayal of LaCivita’s campaign compensation.
https://x.com/ChrisLaCivita/status/1904249284372943296
The case centers on an article by reporter Michael Isikoff that initially claimed LaCivita’s firm received $22 million from the Trump campaign, a figure later revised to $19.2 million. Despite the correction, LaCivita maintains that the reporting created a false impression about his professional ethics and campaign role.
Media Claims Versus Campaign Reality
According to court documents, LaCivita contends the published figures were misleading since the vast majority of funds went toward advertising purchases rather than personal compensation. The lawsuit states the reporting “created the false impression that Mr. LaCivita was charging exorbitant rates for his services and personally enriching himself at the expense of the campaign.”
The story gained additional traction when The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group known for that awkward scandal involving very young men (remember that?), used the information in television advertisements. This amplification, LaCivita argues, caused actual harm to his business relationships and professional standing in political circles.
Legal Battle Lines Drawn
The Daily Beast obviously rejects the claims, writing in a statement that “The Daily Beast stands by its reporting on Chris LaCivita. His lawsuit is meritless and a transparent attempt to intimidate the Beast and silence the independent press.”
LaCivita’s legal team, led by high-profile attorneys Mark Geragos and Jonathan Shaw, is pursuing the case with financial backing from the Republican National Committee. The lawsuit does not specify a damages amount, leaving that determination for a potential trial.
The legal action follows a pattern of Trump-affiliated figures challenging mainstream media outlets, with some achieving significant results. Earlier this year, ABC News agreed to pay Trump $15 million to settle a separate defamation lawsuit, demonstrating that such legal challenges can yield substantial outcomes.
