A legal battle intensifies as former President Donald Trump's attorney seeks to expedite proceedings in a lawsuit against veteran journalist Bob Woodward.
According to The Hill, U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe denied Trump's request to fast-track the lawsuit concerning published audio recordings from interviews conducted for Woodward's 2020 book just hours after the motion was filed.
The case, which has remained dormant for months, centers on Trump's claim that Woodward and his publisher lacked authorization to commercially distribute the audio recordings of their interviews. The lawsuit, filed in January 2023, seeks damages of at least $49 million from Woodward, Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Global.
Trump's attorney, Robert Garson, pushed to accelerate the case, which reflects a broader strategy following Trump's November presidential victory.
The timing coincides with Trump's renewed scrutiny of media outlets and recent legal successes against news organizations. In a significant development, ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos issued an apology and agreed to contribute $15 million toward Trump's presidential library to resolve a defamation lawsuit.
Garson expressed Trump's position in a letter to the court, stating:
Since President Trump's decisive victory resulting him being due to become the 47th President of the United States, there has been a renewed accountability among those who violated his rights over the last four years.
The attorney further emphasized Trump's expectations, noting:
President Trump is hopeful that the Defendants in this case follow Mr. Stephanopoulos' expression of contrition.
Trump's legal team has demonstrated an aggressive approach toward media outlets, exemplified by the recent lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer. This action stems from a pre-Election Day poll that showed Vice President Harris leading significantly in Iowa.
The lawsuit against Woodward acknowledges Trump's consent to the interviews and recordings for the book "Rage." However, the central dispute revolves around the subsequent commercial use of these audio recordings, which Trump's legal team contends was unauthorized.
Woodward, renowned for his Watergate scandal reporting that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation, currently serves as an associate editor at The Washington Post. The defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which has been under consideration for a year.
The lawsuit against Bob Woodward represents a significant challenge to journalistic practices and media rights.
Trump's legal team seeks $49 million in damages from Woodward, Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Global over the unauthorized commercial distribution of interview recordings conducted for the 2020 book "Rage."
As Judge Gardephe continues to evaluate the defendants' motion to dismiss, the case highlights the ongoing tension between public figures and media organizations. The outcome could potentially influence future relationships between journalists and their interview subjects, particularly regarding the commercial use of recorded conversations.
