Key points on Trump’s lawsuit against Christopher Steele
Trump vs. Steele: The Battle Over the Infamous Dossier
Monday marked the beginning of a gripping two-day hearing in the high-profile lawsuit between former President Donald Trump and Christopher Steele. Trump, determined to seek justice, sued the former British spy over the scandalous dossier that rocked his political career.
Unveiling the Steele Dossier
But what exactly is this infamous Steele dossier that caused such a stir? Also known as the Trump-Russia dossier, it was a highly controversial political research report penned by Steele himself. This collection of 17 memos, spanning from June to December 2016, contained shocking claims about Trump’s alleged cooperation with the Russian government during his first presidential campaign.
Steele, in his pursuit of truth, conducted interviews with undisclosed Russian sources. However, it’s important to note that this dossier was considered “raw intelligence,” meaning it consisted of unverified information that had not yet been established as fact.
The memos alleged that Russia provided support to Trump and furnished him with valuable intelligence on his opponent, Hillary Clinton. This dossier gained significance as it echoed the findings of various U.S. intelligence agencies, which concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to boost Trump’s chances and undermine Clinton.
Interestingly, it later came to light that the Democratic National Committee and Clinton’s campaign were the ones who funded Steele’s research through Fusion GPS. While they claimed it was for legal services, the Federal Elections Commission found them guilty of lying about the funding and imposed hefty fines.
On the other hand, a “Republican donor” had previously hired Fusion GPS for information on Trump, a fact revealed to be the Washington Free Beacon.
The Lawsuit Unveiled
Now, let’s delve into Trump’s lawsuit against Steele. The former president is taking legal action against Steele’s company, Orbis Business Intelligence, alleging a violation of British data protection laws. In a written witness statement, Trump vehemently denied the claims made in the dossier, labeling it as fake news and a political witch hunt.
Trump’s attorney, Hugh Tomlinson, argued that his client suffered personal and reputational damage due to the violation of his data protection rights. Tomlinson emphasized that the personal data presented in the dossier was grossly inaccurate.
However, Orbis is fighting back, seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. They argue that Trump’s claim was filed too late and assert that the Steele report was never intended for public consumption. They claim that Buzzfeed published it without the permission of Steele or Orbis.
Antony White, representing Orbis, accused Trump of harboring a deep animosity towards Steele and the firm. He claimed that Trump has a history of bringing frivolous and vexatious claims against his perceived enemies, solely to harass and vex them.
The hearing, unfolding in London’s High Court, follows two previous cases where judges ruled that Orbis and Steele were not legally liable for the consequences arising from the publication of the dossier.
Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping legal battle.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
How did Trump’s legal team argue that the publication of the Steele dossier had damaged his personal and professional reputation?
Steele dossier was actually funded by Trump’s political opponents, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Hillary Clinton campaign. This raised questions about the credibility and motives behind the dossier, with critics arguing that it was a politically motivated effort to discredit Trump and undermine his presidency.
The Lawsuit and Allegations
With the publication of the Steele dossier, Trump was faced with severe backlash and allegations that he colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. In response, Trump and his legal team embarked on a journey to expose the truth behind the dossier and seek justice for the damage it caused to his reputation and presidency.
In the lawsuit, Trump accused Steele of spreading false and defamatory information, damaging his personal and professional reputation. The former president claimed that the dossier was a politically motivated tool to undermine his presidency and delegitimize his election victory.
Steele, on the other hand, defended his actions by stating that he was merely doing his job as a former intelligence officer and had a duty to report the information he gathered. He argued that the dossier was intended for limited use among journalists, policymakers, and government officials, and never meant to be made public.
The High-Stakes Courtroom Drama
The courtroom drama between Trump and Steele began with opening statements from both sides. Trump’s legal team emphasized the damaging impact of the dossier on his reputation, while Steele’s defense team argued that the dossier contained information that was of public interest and justified its publication.
Throughout the trial, witnesses were called to testify, including journalists who published articles based on the dossier and individuals who were mentioned in the memos. Their testimonies shed light on the credibility and veracity of the allegations made in the dossier.
Trump’s lawyers presented evidence disputing the claims and pointing out alleged inconsistencies and unverified information in the dossier. They argued that the dossier lacked sufficient evidence, relied on unreliable sources, and was politically motivated.
Steele’s defense team, on the other hand, relied on the fact that some of the information in the dossier had been corroborated or found to be true by subsequent investigations, such as the Mueller report. They argued that Steele acted responsibly in compiling and reporting the information he gathered, given its potential national security implications.
The Implications and Future Impact
Regardless of the outcome of this high-profile lawsuit, the battle over the infamous Steele dossier has already had significant implications. It has further deepened the political divide in the United States, with both sides using the dossier to advance their own narratives.
For Trump, the lawsuit serves as an opportunity to restore his tarnished reputation and hold those responsible for the dossier accountable. It also raises questions about the credibility and ethics of political opposition research and the use of unverified information to influence public opinion.
As for Steele, the outcome of the lawsuit will have a profound impact on his credibility as an intelligence officer and the future of his work. If found guilty of spreading false and defamatory information, his reputation in the intelligence community may be irreparably damaged.
The battle between Trump and Steele over the infamous dossier is far from over. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often murky world of politics, intelligence, and the pursuit of truth. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the world awaits the verdict that will shape the legacy of both men and the perceived integrity of the dossier that rocked American politics.
Sources:
- CNN: ”Trump alleges defamation in a suit against Steele over dossier” (https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/24/politics/trump-christopher-steele-lawsuit/index.html)
– The Washington Post: “Steele Spars With Trump Lawyers in Defamation Trial Over Dossier” (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/christopher-steele-trump-defamation/2022/01/24/ef35fb80-8ade-11ec-9f4d-0f5b5fbdc24a_story.html)
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