A federal judge tossed out a defamation lawsuit from porn star Stormy Daniels against President Donald Trump on Monday, saying that words used by the president in a tweet directed at Daniels constituted “‘rhetorical hyperbole’ normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States.”
CNN noted that “Daniels sued Trump after he said Daniels’ story of a man threatening her not to come forward with her story of her alleged affair with Trump was ‘a total con job.'”
A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)! https://t.co/9Is7mHBFda
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018
“The Court agrees with Mr. Trump’s argument because the tweet in question constitutes ‘rhetorical hyperbole’ normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States,” District Judge S. James Otero wrote. “The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement.”
BREAKING: Federal judge dismisses Stormy Daniels’ defamation lawsuit against President Trump. https://t.co/kdrUxk2XiK pic.twitter.com/yGbEsqlueC
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 15, 2018
In a statement, Trump’s attorney Charles J. Harder said: “No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, Mr. Avenatti, can truthfully characterize today’s ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels.”
Judge dismisses Stormy Daniels defamation suit against @realDonaldTrump – says he is entitled to legal fees from plaintiff pic.twitter.com/0gkxe1Qj7Y
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 15, 2018
Source: dailywire
