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In a stunning turn, Cable News Network Inc. (CNN) roared back against Alan Dershowitz's allegations, claiming the iconic law professor is grasping at straws in his defamation pursuit. They argue he's struggling to muster even a fragment of evidence to bolster his claim. The news titan has urged the Eleventh Circuit to snub the Trump associate's bid to breathe life into a $300 million libel lawsuit - a bout he had previously lost.

Alan Dershowitz Suit : Delving Deep Into The Core of The Suit

Tapping into the influential "actual malice" rule set forth in the 1964 Supreme Court case, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, CNN's assertion is clear-cut. They stand firm that their portrayal of Dershowitz’s utterances during then-President Trump's first impeachment saga showed no trace of “actual malice”. Therefore, Dershowitz's launching pad for both the suit and its ensuing appeal remains shaky, at best.

Rewinding to the incident that fueled this high-voltage legal dispute, Dershowitz, backing Trump, had vocally argued in January 2020 that a president's actions, if believed to aid their re-election in public interest, shouldn't be an impeachment catalyst.

 The Media Storm and The "Dershow-nuts" Label

Like a lightning bolt in a clear sky, Dershowitz's statements sparked a media tempest. Not only did numerous entities process his words similarly, but they also didn't pull punches in their critiques. One such fiery descriptor? MSNBC’s “crazypants bonkers” tag.

CNN didn't shy away from the storm, with their analysts weighing in and, as Dershowitz's lawsuit alleges, coining the memorable "Dershow-nuts" moniker.

 From Suit to Summary Judgment to Appeal

The timeline is as breathtaking as a thriller novel's plot twist. In September 2020, Dershowitz hurled a defamation charge at CNN. While the news juggernaut tried to duck with a dismissal request, the suit dodged and continued. Yet, in a masterstroke, the defense triumphed in April 2023 with a summary judgment. But, like any riveting story, there was another twist—Dershowitz's appeal.

Alan Dershowitz Suit : Dershowitz’s Tenuous Arguments?

CNN's counter-argument isn't just a defensive block—it’s a counter-strike. They highlight how Dershowitz's appeal is trying to resuscitate a case post-summary judgment, making his suggestions of potential supporting facts frail.

While the federal court did voice reservations about CNN's feedback and even expressed concerns over the Sullivan standard's current relevance, it ultimately sided with the defendants. This legal chess match saw CNN asserting that they exuded the antithesis of “actual malice” – with each staffer genuinely believing their shared content was just and accurate.

 Dershowitz's Damaged Reputation

Perhaps one of CNN's sharpest jabs was noting Dershowitz's past admissions about his tarnished reputation, long before this case. The highlight? Allegations from 2014 and previous pro-Trump statements. CNN’s knockout punch? Arguing that these past events, more than their coverage, could've scarred Dershowitz's image.