Trump’s $15M Settlement Sparks Legal Battles, Media Tensions and Plans for Museum

ABC News recently gave Donald Trump $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit. The President-Elect has stated that he will put that money toward a “presidential foundation and museum.”

It can be the beginning of a series of lawsuits. Trump followed up his $15 million victory by suing the Des Moines Register newspaper. He has accused the paper of “brazen election interference” over its poll projections leading up to the election. Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia

Trump's Tense Media Relationship Continues Into Second Term

Trump and the media didn’t have a good relationship during his first term, and it looks like the bad blood will continue into his second term.

Media outlets may increase the amount of legal disclosures issued on air. For example, ABC's The View recently aired four separate legal notes in a single broadcast, addressing allegations related to Trump’s cabinet picks. This signals an increased focus on legal matters as Trump faces continued scrutiny.

As for Trump's plans regarding a rumored museum, details remain unclear. Some speculate he may use the space to take aim at the media, with ideas circulating of a "Gallery of Fake News" or something similarly provocative aimed at outlets like ABC. Office of White House Press Secretary/Wikimedia

Presidential Lawsuit Legacy Traced Back to Madison’s 1803 Case

Trump isn’t the only president who has been involved with lawsuits. James Madison was involved in the first presidential lawsuit in 1803. The complex case helped to establish judicial review. John Vanderly/Wikimedia

Court Affirms Immunity in Nixon Lawsuit

President Nixon was involved in a lawsuit in 1982 with an Air Force analyst. A government commission deemed that his firing was unjust, and the analyst wanted to be compensated accordingly. The Supreme Court ruled against the analyst, deciding that the president is immune from damage suits based on official presidential acts. Jack Kightlinger/Wikimedia

President Clinton's 1996 Lawsuit Erodes Presidential Immunity

Another lawsuit came in in 1996 against President Clinton. An Arkansas woman sued him for making abhorrent sexual advances. Clinton lost the case since the acts he committed were not based on official presidential acts. It also established that presidents are not immune from civil suits. White House/Wikimedia

Bush v. Gore: Supreme Court's Pivotal Ruling on 2000 Election

President George W. Bush also got into a lawsuit with Al Gore over the 2000 election results. This lawsuit stemmed from Florida recounting votes and determined that the Supreme Court can be the decisive factor in laws pertaining to state elections. Eric Draper/Wikimedia