Special Poll
A federal judge recently declined President-elect Trump’s lawyer’s request to expedite a lawsuit against journalist Bob Woodward concerning published audio tapes from interviews conducted for a 2020 book. U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe, appointed by former President George W. Bush and presiding over the case, took about five hours after the filing to make his decision.
In his response, Judge Gardephe indicated that the court was already processing a significant motion related to the case. He noted, “The Court is at work on the outstanding motion,” and added, “To the extent Plaintiff seeks to embark on discovery before the motion to dismiss is resolved, that application is denied.”
This lawsuit has seen delays for months as considerations continue over a motion by the defendants to have the lawsuit dismissed. This legal maneuvering occurs amidst Trump’s intensified scrutiny of media practices following his election victory in November.
Trump’s legal representative, Robert Garson, emphasized in a letter on Tuesday a broader push for accountability following Trump’s electoral win, which he stated positioned Trump as the forthcoming 47th President of the United States. Garson highlighted recent developments, including a public apology from ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, who also agreed to a $15 million donation toward Trump’s presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit.
Garson expressed hope in his letter that “the Defendants in this case follow Mr. Stephanopoulos’ expression of contrition.”
Additionally, the push for accelerated legal action followed remarks Trump made to journalists about his intent to pursue further legal actions against media figures he believes have treated him unfairly.
This legal activity also coincides with Trump’s separate lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer, filed over a pre-election poll that showed Vice President Harris leading significantly in Iowa.
The lawsuit against Woodward was initiated in January 2023, stemming from 19 interviews Trump provided for Woodward’s book, “Rage.” While Trump admitted to giving these interviews and allowing them to be recorded, he contends that Woodward and his associates, including the publisher Simon & Schuster and its then-parent company Paramount Global, were not authorized to sell the audio recordings. Trump is seeking damages of at least $49 million.
Bob Woodward, a figure known for his investigative reporting during the Watergate scandal, currently serves as an associate editor at The Washington Post. Representatives from The Washington Post and Simon & Schuster have not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
As the defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which has been pending for over a year, the legal proceedings are set to continue unfolding.