Posted on 09/01/2016 6:48:02 PM PDT by Kaslin
That was fast: hours after being sued by Melania Trump, the Daily Mail has retracted and apologized for a story they published in August that claimed she worked as an escort. Melania Trump is seeking $150 million in damages in a defamation case.
In their apology, Daily Mail stated that the article was intended to be about the rumors surrounding Melania's past and the possible impact on Donald Trump's presidential campaign, and about how Melania Trump was an escort. The publication apologized for "any misinterpretation" that led to people believing that Melania was an escort.
To the extent that anything in the Daily Mail's article was interpreted as stating or suggesting that Mrs. Trump worked as an 'escort' or in the 'sex business,' that she had a 'composite or presentation card for the sex business,' or that either of the modeling agencies referenced in the article were engaged in these businesses, it is hereby retracted, and the Daily Mail newspaper regrets any such misinterpretation.
The Daily Mail newspaper and MailOnline/DailyMail.com have entirely separate editors and journalistic teams.
In so far as MailOnline/DailyMail.com published the same article it wholeheartedly also retracts the above and also regrets any such misinterpretation.
The Trump campaign has continued to insist that all modeling work done by Melania was "legitimate."
It is unclear as to if the lawsuit will proceed.
“Public Person” A description applied in Libel and Slander actions, as well as in those alleging invasion of privacy, to “anyone who has gained prominence in the community as a result of his or her name or exploits, whether willingly or unwillingly.”
Five actions that each, on its own, would make her a Public Person
1: Her modeling career
2: Her marriage to Donald Trump before he was in politics.
3: Her prominence as the leader in certain charities.
5: Her marriage to Donald Trump after his entry into politics.
5: Her speech at the RNC.
Open and shut matter. NY Times v. Sullivan was a bad decision, but is is settled law.
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