According to a new lawsuit brought by a Republican political strategist, Trump's campaign manager once boasted that Fox News chief Roger Ailes was an insider in Trump's presidential campaign. The suit further claims Ailes even signed a letter offering to provide help.
Republican consultant Cheri Jacobus filed the lawsuit in state court in New York on Monday accusing Trump and his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski of defamation after they portrayed her as a desperate job seeker, CNN Money reported.
Jacobus also claims that Lewandowski boasted about Trump's friendships with Ailes, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough. Trump called Jacobus "a real dummy" in a tweet, who had "begged my people for a job," while Lewandowski said on MSNBC that "she went off and was upset" when they didn't give her a job, according to the lawsuit.
According to Bloomberg, Jacobus is seeking $4M in damages, as she accused Trump of inciting a "virtual mob" to bully her into silence when she questioned his fitness for office.
"The attacks by Trump's followers were laced with sexual degradation and pornographic vulgarity," Jacobus said in court papers in Manhattan. Altered images of Jacobus depicting her "as an appropriate victim for rape and sexual assault," were also alleged to have been included in the attacks.
The camp of Trump and Lewandowski did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Politico reported as Jacobus' lawyer, Jay Butterman of Butterman & Kahn in New York, said the defendants had been served with the complaint. Trump's campaign is also being held liable for damages.
Butterman believes that they have a strong case against Trump saying his and his agents' statements are defamatory. He further claims that Trump exceeded the legitimate bounds of free expression and should be made accountable for his actions. He has no doubt that defendant Trump and his associates will throw technical hurdles to the case but said these hurdles have already been addressed.
