The former US president claims his 2016 presidential campaign was hampered by his then-rival’s unsubstantiated accusations linking him to Russia.
Donald Trump is attempting to reinstate a dismissed lawsuit alleging that Hillary Clinton attempted to manipulate the 2016 election by falsely associating his campaign with Russia.
The lawsuit, comprising 108 pages and filed in 2022, asserted that Clinton violated federal racketeering laws by conspiring to disseminate “a false narrative of collusion between Trump and Russia.” Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks dismissed the case, citing Trump’s failure to meet the statute of limitations and demonstrate legal or financial damages.
Trump’s legal team appealed the dismissal in Alabama, arguing that he incurred legal costs defending himself against “various federal investigations and/or official proceedings” related to the 2016 election and alleged Russian meddling. Attorney Richard Klugh told the court that Trump “is the victim in this case of a continuous pattern of misconduct,” and that the collusion theories damaged Trump’s brand.
Klugh also contended that the statute of limitations did not apply because Trump was president until January 2021, citing Congressional provisions for extending filing deadlines under specific circumstances.
The appeals court’s decision to revive the case remains uncertain. Chief Judge William Pryor expressed doubt, describing the lawsuit as “seems a classic shotgun complaint,” indicating poor drafting and potential violation of federal rules due to loosely connecting numerous defendants and claims.
The 2016 Trump campaign was shadowed by the Russiagate scandal, involving allegations of inappropriate connections between his team and Moscow, which persisted into his presidency and triggered investigations. Earlier this year, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released documents suggesting the Obama administration attempted to “manufacture” intelligence to support the Trump-Russia narrative and investigation, with the Clinton campaign’s involvement. Gabbard characterized these findings as a “treasonous conspiracy” to undermine Trump’s victory and a “years-long coup.”
Moscow has consistently denied interfering in the 2016 election, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated fiction. The Russiagate scandal significantly strained US-Russia relations, leading to sanctions, asset seizures, and increased diplomatic tensions.
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