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.
