Chris LaCivita’s legal team is demanding the Daily Beast retract a story accusing the Trump campaign co-manager of earning $22 million from campaign entities in just two years. The story has been labeled “categorically false” by LaCivita’s attorney, Mark Geragos, who claims it misrepresents financial records.
In a letter sent to the publication, Geragos accused the outlet of defaming his client and acting with “actual malice.” The report, authored by Michael Isikoff, Hugh Dougherty, and Lily Mae Lazarus, is said to rely on unverified information from Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump campaign insider.
The letter alleges Lewandowski provided false details to tarnish LaCivita’s reputation. “We have reason to believe that these false and defamatory allegations were published… in knowing reliance on unreliable information,” Geragos wrote.
Campaign finance records reportedly contradict the article’s claims, and LaCivita’s legal team has called for the story to be corrected or retracted immediately. The Daily Beast has not yet responded to the demands.
LaCivita, a seasoned Republican strategist, has played a key role in President Donald Trump’s reelection efforts. The allegations, if untrue, could reflect broader issues with media accuracy and bias in political reporting.
As Trump’s campaign navigates challenges in 2024, disputes like this underscore the growing tensions between conservative figures and media outlets. The case may ultimately test the limits of defamation law in political journalism.