Actor attacks New York Times in $250 million libel lawsuit

Actor Justin Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times on Tuesday, claiming the Gray Lady defamed his and his team’s reputation when referring to his “It Ends with Us” co-star Blake Lively. of him, claiming that he began “Smear campaign” against her

Lively previously filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment, retaliation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Negligence, etc. Lively also claims that Baldoni conducted and participated in the campaign. “Social distortion” to destroy her career and reputation

The Times published a story on Dec. 21 with the headline “‘We Can Bury Any’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,” which reported private emails and text messages that showed “a playbook for participating in the era’s undetected smear campaigns.” Digital” about Lively, the 37-year-old actress is married to actor Ryan Reynolds.

JUSTIN BALDONI CALLS BLAKE LIVELY’S Claims ‘False and Devastating’, Lawyer Says New Lawsuit Will Reveal The Truth

Actor Justin Baldoni sues The New York Times for defamation (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

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However, Baldoni and other plaintiffs Including Hollywood PR experts. Confirming that the Times article “deliberately omitted portions of the text exchange and other information that contradicted the actors’ version of events,” they claim the Times defamed them in the process. It omitted important context from communications that disputed many of Lively’s claims.

“The central thesis of this article, summarized in a defamatory headline designed to immediately mislead readers, is that Plaintiffs orchestrated a counter-public relations campaign against Lively for speaking out about sexual harassment. This is evidence that is categorically false and easily refuted,” the 87-page lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court by attorney Brian Friedman alleges.

“The Times story relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified, self-serving narrative, quoting it verbatim while ignoring the overwhelming evidence that contradicts her claims and reveals Her true motives,” the lawsuit continues.

Friedman told Variety that the Times “succumbed to the demands and desires of a Hollywood elite that Two “untouchables” ignore the journalistic and ethical practices that once befitting such a respected publication. By using text that has been modified and modified. and deliberately omitted statements that contradicted their chosen public relations narrative.”

BLAKE LIVELY sues JUSTIN BALDONI for sexual harassment, retaliation and infliction of emotional distress.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni (Getty Images)

The Times stands by its reporting.

“The role of independent news organizations is to follow the facts they present. Our stories are reported meticulously and responsibly. It is based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents. Including messages and emails that we reference correctly and in length in the article,” Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades told Fox News Digital.

“We publish theirs. Full statement In response to the allegations in the article,” she continued, “We plan to vigorously defend this case.”

The lawsuit also alleges that the Times published the report before the deadline given to Baldoni’s representatives in retaliation for It “paid lip service to journalistic ethics and basic fairness” but “never intended – or wanted – that plaintiffs would retaliate.”

Talent agency William Morris Endeavor has dropped Baldoni as a follow-up client for the Times, according to reports.

Freedman did not immediately respond to a request for further comment on Baldoni’s claims to the Times. He previously told The Times that Lively’s initial claims were “totally false, outrageous and deliberately insulting. with the intent to harm and alter the public narrative in the media.”

London, England – August 8: Blake Lively attends the UK gala “It Ends With Us” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on August 8, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images) (Lia Toby/Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz and Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.