A lawyer representing Chris LaCivita, co-manager of President Donald Trump’s campaign, has demanded the Daily Beast retract or correct an article claiming LaCivita earned $22 million from Trump campaign entities over a two-year period. The story, published by the news outlet, is being labeled “categorically false” by LaCivita’s legal team.
In a formal letter, attorney Mark Geragos argued that the allegations are contradicted by official campaign finance records. The lawyer described the claims as both inaccurate and defamatory, suggesting the story was published with reckless disregard for the truth.
The letter accuses Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump campaign adviser, of being a key source for the article. Geragos stated, “We have reason to believe that these false and defamatory allegations were published by The Daily Beast… in knowing reliance on unreliable information provided by Corey Lewandowski and others.”
Geragos also claimed the story was written with “actual malice,” a high legal standard often required to prove defamation. He singled out Daily Beast reporters Michael Isikoff, Hugh Dougherty, and Lily Mae Lazarus for allegedly failing to verify the accuracy of the claims.
The dispute comes as Trump’s campaign navigates the complexities of the 2024 election cycle. LaCivita has been a prominent figure in Republican politics, and his attorney suggested the article was intended to damage both his reputation and the Republican National Committee.
The Daily Beast has not yet issued a response to the letter. Geragos’ demand for a retraction could signal the beginning of a broader legal battle over the article’s publication.
This case highlights the ongoing tensions between conservative figures and media outlets, with accusations of bias and defamatory reporting becoming increasingly common in high-stakes political environments.
