NY Times Correspondent David Enrich on Donald Trump’s Intimidation of the Media

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

New York Times business editor David Enrich took a deep dive over the weekend into what he called the president-elect Donald Trump efforts to “intimidate the media and others who have criticized or questioned” him.

Enrich, who has a book coming out next year about the weaponization of defamation laws, wrote that “Trump’s legal threats have come in many forms. One was broadcast on CNN. Another one came on the phone. More came in letters or e-mails.” Later he added:

A small flurry of threatening defamation lawsuits is the latest sign that the new Trump administration appears willing to do whatever it takes to suppress adverse media coverage. Before and after the election, Mr. Trump and his allies discussed subpoenaing news organizations, prosecuting journalists and their sources, revoking the licenses of television networks and ending funding for public radio and television.

Actual or threatened defamation suits are another weapon at their disposal, and they are being used even before Mr. Trump returns to the White House.
Enrich’s report came a day after ABC News and George Stephanopoulos settled a defamation lawsuit from Trump over a $15 million donation to his presidential library and an apology for Stephanopoulos’s repeated insistence that Trump was recognized ” guilty of rape” and not of sexual violence.

“The deal has begun criticism ABC News were among those who believed the network was unduly pandering to Mr. Trump. And it has led some legal and media experts to wonder whether the outcome will embolden Mr. Trump and others to step up their assault on the media at a time when many news organizations are struggling with declining public trust and deteriorating financial health,” explained Enrich of the settlement.

Enrich forewarned at X that the “trend” of defamation over adverse coverage “is likely to accelerate with the ABC News settlement.” In his report, he continued:

Over the past few weeks, lawyers for Mr. Trump and two of his most prominent candidates… Pete Hegsethpotential minister of defense, and Kash Patelwhom Mr. Trump picked to lead the FBI — has warned reporters and others of being sued for defamation for what they say or write.

Patel recently sued his ex Mike Pence assistant Olivia Troy because of remarks she made about him on MSNBC. “In response, Ms. Troy’s attorney, Mark S. Zeid sent Mr. Binnall an image of a ‘Monty Python’ character sticking out his tongue mockingly,” Enrich noted, concluding:

Over the decades, Mr. Trump himself has repeatedly filed lawsuits against media companies and others for what he considers unfair or unfavorable coverage. Aside from the settlement with ABC News, Mr. Trump has almost never won. He currently has a pending defamation lawsuit against the board that awards the Pulitzer Prizes. In October, he sued CBS News, alleging the company used deceptive trade practices in a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

With Trump back in power next month, Enrich says he will only increase his longstanding practice of using lawsuits and lawsuits to burden and punish those he sees as opponents.

Read the full report here.