Former President Donald Trump sued Bob Woodward on Monday. Claiming the veteran journalist did not get his consent to release. Audio recordings of interviews he conducted during the past two years in office.
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Florida.
Focuses on “The Trump Tapes: Bob Woodward’s. Twenty Interviews with President Donald Trump,” released in October. It seeks $50 million in damages. And alleges an attempt to “capitalize on President Trump’s voice.”
In the lawsuit, Trump says he agreed to be recorded for Woodward’s book “Rage.” to be published in 2020, and that Woodward later broke. His promise to Trump by using the interviews for an audiobook.
“President Trump told Woodward many times. That the interviews were being used by Woodward. —And by Woodward—only to quoting President. Trump for the ‘written word,’ i.e. anger, and for no other purpose. Including giving, marketing, or selling the interview to the public. Press, or the media, in any way, shape or form,” court documents say
“Woodward decided to exploit, appropriate and capitalize on President. Trump’s voice by publishing sound recordings of their interviews with President.
Trump in audiobook form,” the lawsuit states.
From December 2019 to July 2020, Woodward conducted many interviews with. at the White House, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and by phone. They drew national attention when quotes showed acknowledging. The dangers of the Covid pandemic and downplaying its threat.
Trump’s lawyers claimed that the audio captured in the interview was. “Protected material” and subject to restrictions on use and distribution.
Defendants named in the suit include Simon & Schuster. And its parent company Paramount Global and Woodward.
Woodward and his publisher fired back at Trump in a joint statement.
“Former President Trump’s lawsuit is without merit and we will defend against it. All these interviews were on the record. And were recorded with President Trump’s knowledge and agreement. Moreover, it is in the public interest to have this historical record in Trump’s own words. We are confident that the facts and the law are on our side, ” the statement said.
In a statement Monday night, Trump said the audiobook was. “An open and blatant attempt to make me look as bad as possible.”
Trump, who launched a third White House bid in November. Sued Woodward after dropping other lawsuits he filed in Florida. Including one against New York Attorney General Letitia James. after a federal judge hit Trump and his lawyer with $1 million. Sanctions for pushing a different “failed” case.
