Legal AF by MeidasTouch: Episode Summary Episode Title: Trump Threats Backfire as CBS Fights Back in Lawsuit
Release Date: February 21, 2025
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Michael Popak, Karen Friedman Agnifilo
Executive Producer: Meidas Media Network

Introduction

In this episode of Legal AF by MeidasTouch, hosted by MeidasTouch founder and civil rights lawyer Ben Meiselas, national trial lawyer strategist Michael Popak, and former Chief Assistant District Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, the discussion centers around the escalating legal battle between former President Donald Trump and CBS. Titled "Trump Threats Backfire as CBS Fights Back in Lawsuit," the episode delves deep into the intricacies of the lawsuit, the motivations behind it, and the broader implications for media and politics.

Overview of the Trump vs. CBS Lawsuit

Michael Popak initiates the discussion by outlining the fundamentals of the case:

“Donald Trump sued CBS for $20 billion, worth more than the value of the parent company Paramount, by claiming that when Bill Whitaker on 60 Minutes did an interview of Kamala Harris and they gave a short version of that interview, they purposely edited her response to make her look better. And that somehow damaged Donald Trump and his companies and his meme coin.”
— Michael Popak [02:10]

Trump's lawsuit alleges that CBS manipulated footage of Vice President Kamala Harris to portray her in a more favorable light, thereby harming Trump's reputation and business interests, including his cryptocurrency venture.

Analysis of the Allegations

Popak critically examines the validity of Trump's claims, questioning the merit of CBS's alleged actions:

“I defy you to tell me how the editing anyway helped Kamala Harris or was deceptive or untrue.”
— Michael Popak [02:10]

He suggests that the edited interview did not necessarily benefit Harris in a way that would justify Trump's massive financial demands. Popak further emphasizes the dubious nature of the lawsuit by highlighting the inconsistency in Trump's claims regarding his business losses.

CBS's Legal Response and Strategy

Contrary to Trump's aggressive legal maneuvers, CBS is portrayed as taking a firm stand:

“CBS just told a federal Judge in Texas, of all places, Judge Kacmarek, that if we're going to go down that road, then we want all the financial information about Donald Trump's companies, his relationship with his meme coin and the rest.”
— Michael Popak [02:10]

Popak notes that CBS is not capitulating to Trump's demands but is instead pushing back by requesting detailed financial disclosures from Trump. This move indicates CBS's intention to scrutinize the legitimacy of Trump's financial harm claims.

Legal Tactics and Forum Shopping

The episode delves into the strategic choice of venue for the lawsuit:

“Donald Trump... filed it in Texas in Amarillo in order to get one particular judge on the case, Judge Kaczmarek... an ultimate example of forum shopping.”
— Michael Popak [02:10]

Popak criticizes Trump's decision to file the lawsuit in Texas, suggesting it's a tactical move to benefit from a judge sympathetic to his cause. This practice, known as forum shopping, often undermines the impartiality of legal proceedings.

Inclusion of Ronny Jackson in the Complaint

Adding another layer to the lawsuit, Trump included Ronny Jackson, a former personal lawyer and controversial figure:

"They added Ronny Jackson... he was a Covid denier who's an election denier. They added him saying, well, he somehow also been harmed by the interview because he's in Texas and he consumes Texas television."
— Michael Popak [02:10]

Popak questions the relevance of Jackson's inclusion, suggesting it dilutes the focus of the lawsuit and potentially signals an attempt to widen the net of allegations against CBS.

Potential Outcomes and Implications

Popak speculates on the possible trajectories of the lawsuit:

“Does anybody really think it's appropriate for Donald Trump to use his Federal Communication Commission, the fcc, to lean on CBS to pay him a private settlement in order for them to get approval for a merger? That's extortion.”
— Michael Popak [09:04]

He argues that Trump's legal strategy may backfire, leading to either a dismissal of the case or forcing CBS to negotiate a settlement to avoid prolonged litigation. Popak also draws parallels to Trump's past legal actions, suggesting a pattern of using lawsuits to exert pressure rather than seeking genuine redress.

CBS's Legal Maneuvering and Potential Settlements

Highlighting CBS's resilience, Popak anticipates that CBS will seek to dismiss the case or transfer it to a more appropriate jurisdiction:

“They're gonna seek to dismiss it and transfer it back to New York where the case belongs at best.”
— Michael Popak [02:10]

Additionally, the request for Trump's financial documents could reveal vulnerabilities in his claims, potentially weakening his position and opening avenues for CBS to challenge the lawsuit's foundation.

Broader Implications for Media and Political Landscape

The episode underscores the broader ramifications of such high-profile lawsuits:

“There's no limits or boundaries for this president... You've heard us raise about Sol's out of Office Gummies. Well, the team at SOL just launched their new out of Office beverages...”
— Michael Popak [09:04]

While this quote blends into an advertisement, the preceding discussion illuminates concerns about the intersection of media, politics, and personal vendettas. The lawsuit exemplifies the challenges media organizations face when navigating political pressures and legal threats from powerful figures.

Conclusion

Michael Popak wraps up the discussion by reiterating the complexities of the lawsuit and CBS's strategic defense:

“So far, Donald Trump, until he's limited by federal judges... You can see what he's doing in his administration on a daily basis. I'm going to cover it right here on the Midas Touch Network and on Legal AF.”
— Michael Popak [13:19]

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to support the Legal AF YouTube channel, emphasizing the network's commitment to providing in-depth legal analysis on pivotal issues at the nexus of law and politics.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Popak [02:10]:
  “Donald Trump sued CBS for $20 billion... How are you going to back that up?”

• Michael Popak [09:04]:
  “That can crack one open after a hard day at work, wind down with your favorite TV show... legal battles require solid footing, not just threats.”

• Michael Popak [13:19]:
  “Help us build this pro-democracy channel where I'll be curating the top stories at the intersection of law and politics.”

This episode of Legal AF by MeidasTouch offers a comprehensive analysis of the contentious lawsuit between Donald Trump and CBS, highlighting the legal strategies employed by both parties and the potential consequences for the media landscape. Through incisive commentary and expert insights, Michael Popak navigates the complexities of the case, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the legal maneuvers and their broader implications.