A lawyer for Chris LaCivita, co-manager of President Donald Trump’s campaign, is accusing the Daily Beast of publishing false claims that LaCivita earned $22 million from campaign entities over two years. The report, described as defamatory, has drawn sharp criticism from LaCivita’s legal team.
Mark Geragos, who represents LaCivita and the Republican National Committee, called the story “categorically false” and argued that campaign finance records contradict its claims. He accused the Daily Beast of acting with “actual malice,” suggesting the outlet knowingly published false information.
The letter also implicated Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump campaign official, as a potential source for the allegations. Geragos claimed Lewandowski and others provided unreliable information to harm LaCivita’s reputation.
“We have reason to believe these false and defamatory allegations were published… in knowing reliance on unreliable information,” Geragos wrote, singling out reporters Michael Isikoff, Hugh Dougherty, and Lily Mae Lazarus.
The Daily Beast has not issued a response, but the dispute underscores broader tensions between conservative figures and media outlets. LaCivita’s team is pushing for a retraction and correction, emphasizing the inaccuracies in the report.
As Trump’s 2024 campaign progresses, incidents like this highlight the scrutiny conservative leaders face in the media and the importance of accountability in political journalism.
