Investigative writer Bob Woodward (L) chats with CNN Portugal analogous successful USA Luis Costa Ribas (not seen) aft having delivered remarks connected "New threats for Democracy" during CNN International Summit connected November 21, 2022, successful Lisbon, Portugal.
Horacio Villalobos | Corbis News | Getty Images
A national justice connected Friday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's astir $50 cardinal suit against the writer Bob Woodward for publishing tapes from interviews for his 2020 best-seller "Rage" arsenic an audiobook.
The determination by U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe successful Manhattan is simply a triumph for Woodward, his publisher, Simon & Schuster, and its erstwhile owner, Paramount Global.
Woodward interviewed Trump 19 times betwixt December 2019 and August 2020, and astir 20% of "Rage" was derived from these interviews.
The publication was released successful September 2020, portion the audiobook "The Trump Tapes," including Woodward's commentary, was released successful October 2022.
In a 59-page decision, Gardephe stated that Trump did not plausibly allege that helium and Woodward intended to beryllium associated authors of "The Trump Tapes," noting that Simon & Schuster credited Trump arsenic a "reader" portion crediting Woodward arsenic the author.
The judge, an appointee of Republican President George W. Bush, besides stated that Trump did not show helium had a copyright involvement successful his stand-alone responses to Woodward's questions.
Gardephe besides stated that national copyright instrumentality preempted Trump's state-law-based claims. He gave Trump until August 18 to amend his ailment a 3rd time.
A spokesperson for Trump's ineligible squad said successful a statement: "In different biased enactment by a New York Court, this wrongful determination was issued without adjacent affording President Trump the basal owed process of a hearing. We volition proceed to guarantee that those who perpetrate wrongdoing against President Trump and each Americans are held accountable."
Lawyers for Woodward, Simon & Schuster and Paramount did not instantly respond to requests for comment.
Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters cited
The defendants had argued that national instrumentality barred Trump from copyrighting interviews conducted arsenic portion of his authoritative duties, and that nary president earlier him ever demanded royalties for publishing statesmanlike interviews.
They besides referred to Woodward arsenic the "sole designer and existent author" of the interviews, conscionable arsenic journalists similar the precocious Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters were successful their interviews with different presidents.
Woodward besides stated that his interviews reflected "classic quality reporting," which helped convey close accusation to the public, and frankincense constituted "fair use."
Trump was sued successful January 2023, claiming helium had told Woodward repeatedly that the interviews were intended solely for the book. Woodward said helium ne'er agreed to that restriction.
The $49.98 cardinal damages petition was based connected what Trump's lawyers called projected income of 2 cardinal audiobooks astatine $24.99 each.
Paramount sold Simon & Schuster successful October 2023 to backstage equity steadfast KKR KKR.N for $1.62 cardinal successful cash.
The lawsuit is Trump v Simon & Schuster Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-06883.
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