The judiciary is one of the cornerstones of every functioning democracy, which is also true in America. The role of the justice system is to maintain impartiality and ensure that the rule of law reigns supreme.
But what happens when the Supreme Court makes judgments based on its personal ideologies or accepts lavish gifts from lobbyists and megadonors? People lose trust in the judiciary. A 2024 Gallup poll stated that only 35% of Americans trusted the Supreme Court, the lowest in history.
So, when one of Trump’s megadonors, Steve Wynn, petitioned the court to overturn the landmark 1964 judgment in NY Times v. Sullivan, people didn’t believe that SCOTUS would protect the press against the libel law. But the court’s decision came as a shock to everyone.
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Supreme Court Rejected Steve Wynn’s Petition
Steve Wynn, who donated more than $1 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign, wanted SCOTUS to reconsider the landmark judgment that established the “actual malice” clause for libel laws.
Wynn’s motivation comes from the defamation lawsuit he filed against the Associated Press, which reported rape allegations against him in the 1970s. Wynn and his attorneys argued that the AP’s reporting was false and amounted to “malicious.” Nevada courts found no evidence of malice, and SCOTUS upheld the decision of the state courts.
Law experts believe that overturning Sullivan would open up journalists and the media to unrestricted libel laws. This could have severe repercussions for press freedom in the USA.
Steve Wynn Isn’t Alone in Weaponizing Libel Laws
Libel laws are expensive and time-consuming, making them perfect for billionaires who want favorable treatment from the media. Libel laws or the threat of a libel suit are the most prominent weapons in Trump’s war against what he calls the “liberal media.”
Trump is currently engaged in several libel lawsuits, including against CBS, Gannett, and the Pulitzer Center. His goal is not to win these lawsuits but to intimidate media houses and exhaust their wallets.
Apart from Trump, various lawyers, judges, and right-wing activists are also campaigning to overturn Sullivan. This would make it easier for the rich and powerful to wage a war of legal attrition against the media.
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