Justin Baldoni Files $250 Million Lawsuit Against teh New York Times
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Actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni has launched a $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times, claiming libel and false light invasion of privacy. The lawsuit stems from a story published by the Times regarding accusations of sexual harassment made against Baldoni by his “It Ends With Us” co-star, Blake Lively.
Baldoni asserts that the Times selectively used and manipulated communications to portray him negatively, ignoring evidence that contradicted Lively’s claims. He specifically cites an instance where Lively’s legal documents alleged that baldoni repeatedly entered her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including during breastfeeding. Baldoni, though, provided a text message from Lively which allegedly stated, “I’m just pumping in my trailer if you wanna work out our lines.”
The lawsuit further claims that Lively never formally filed a lawsuit against Baldoni. Rather, her team submitted an 80-page letter to the California Civil Rights Department. Baldoni’s legal team argues that this decision was a strategic move to avoid the scrutiny of a formal legal process, such as answering questions under oath and producing relevant communications.
Baldoni’s lawyer accused the Times of bowing to the influence of “powerful ‘untouchable’ Hollywood elites,” compromising journalistic integrity for a sensationalized narrative. They argue that the Times “pre-determined the outcome of their story, and aided and abetted their own devastating PR smear campaign designed to revitalize Lively’s self-induced floundering public image and counter the organic groundswell of criticism amongst the online public.”
Baldoni’s legal team has vowed to continue fighting for their client’s reputation,stating they will “continue this campaign of authenticity by also suing those individuals who have abused their power to try and destroy the lives of my clients”. They maintain that they have all the necessary evidence to support their claims and are confident that the truth will prevail.
In a shocking turn of events, actor and director Justin Baldoni has filed a lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging defamation stemming from a recent article detailing sexual harassment allegations made by actress Blake Lively. The lawsuit centers around a story published on December 20, 2024, which included claims of inappropriate conduct by Baldoni towards lively during the filming of their 2016 movie ”The Age of Adaline.”
Lively’s allegations paint a disturbing picture, alleging that Baldoni made unwanted sexual advances and attempted to sabotage her reputation when she rejected his advances. the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles court, asserts that the article contained numerous false and damaging statements, causing irreparable harm to Baldoni’s professional and personal life.
Baldoni Denies Allegations, Claims ’Vicious Campaign’
Baldoni vehemently denies Lively’s claims, characterizing them as part of a “vicious campaign” to destroy his character. His lawsuit contends that The New York Times failed to properly investigate the allegations and rather chose to publish a one-sided account based on Lively’s unverified claims.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages for defamation, libel, and harm to reputation. it also demands a retraction and apology from The New York Times.
Legal Battle Expected to Be Lengthy and Contentious
This case is expected to be highly contentious, with both sides likely to engage in a protracted legal battle. The outcome could have significant ramifications for journalistic practices and the legal implications of publishing allegations of sexual misconduct.
For further details on the specific allegations outlined in Lively’s legal documents and a extensive list of individuals named in her lawsuit, visit JustJared.com. More details on the lawsuit itself can be found on Variety.com.
## Archyde Exclusive: Justin Baldoni Speaks Out About $250 Million Lawsuit Against The New York Times
**Archyde:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Baldoni.This lawsuit against The New York Times is making headlines. Can you tell us in your own words what prompted this legal action?
**justin Baldoni:** This wasn’t a decision I took lightly. It stems from a deeply personal and painful situation. The New York Times published an article that presented a distorted and damaging version of events involving myself and my ‘it Ends With Us’ co-star, Blake Lively. Their reporting included serious accusations of sexual harassment that I categorically deny.
**Archyde:** You allege that these accusations stem from a misrepresentation of communications.Can you elaborate on that?
**Justin baldoni:** Absolutely. The Times selectively presented text messages and other communications to create a narrative that painted me in a negative light. They chose to ignore crucial evidence that contradicted Ms. Lively’s claims. For example, they highlighted alleged instances of me entering her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed. However, they conveniently overlooked a text message from Ms. Lively herself, stating, ”I’m just pumping in my trailer if you wanna work out our lines.” This message fully undermines the narrative they were trying to construct.
**Archyde:** This lawsuit seeks a significant sum of money.What outcome are you hoping to achieve?
**Justin Baldoni:** This isn’t just about the financial implications. it’s about accountability.Media organizations have a duty to report the truth accurately and responsibly. The New York Times failed to do that in this instance. Their reckless disregard for the facts has damaged my reputation and caused me immense emotional distress.
I hope this lawsuit sends a clear message that you cannot simply publish sensationalized stories without proper due diligence.
**Archyde:** Ms. Lively has not filed a formal lawsuit against you, but reportedly sent a letter to the California Civil Rights Department. How do you respond to this?
**Justin Baldoni:** That’s correct. I beleive this further demonstrates the lack of merit in the claims against me. If Ms. Lively truly believed she was a victim of harassment,she would have pursued legal action through the appropriate channels.
**Archyde:** This situation is unfolding publicly and generating a lot of discussion. What message do you have for the public?
**Justin Baldoni:** As I’ve said, I completely deny these allegations. They are baseless and untrue. I am confident that the legal process will ultimately vindicate me. In the meantime, I ask that people reserve judgment and allow the truth to emerge.
**Archyde:** Thank you for your time,Mr. Baldoni.
## Archyde Exclusive: Justin Baldoni Speaks Out About $250 million Lawsuit Against The New York Times
**Archyde:** Thank you for joining us, Mr.Baldoni. This lawsuit against The New York Times is making headlines. Can you tell our readers what led you to take such drastic legal action?
**Justin Baldoni:** This wasn’t an easy decision. filing a lawsuit is serious,but I felt I had no other choice. The New York Times published a story containing deeply damaging and false allegations about me. These accusations not only smeared my reputation, but also threatened my career and personal life.
**Archyde:** Your lawsuit focuses on a story published regarding allegations made by your “It Ends With Us“ co-star Blake Lively. Can you elaborate on why you believe the Times’ reporting was flawed?
**Justin baldoni:** The Times chose to present a one-sided narrative, heavily reliant on unsubstantiated claims made by Ms. Lively. They ignored crucial evidence that contradicted her version of events, and seemingly accepted her allegations at face value without proper scrutiny.
**archyde:** You specifically mentioned a text message allegedly from Ms. Lively that contradicted her claims. Can you shed more light on that?
**Justin Baldoni:** Absolutely. The Times reported that Ms. Lively accused me of repeatedly entering her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including during breastfeeding.
Though, I possess a text message from Ms. Lively herself which directly contradicts this. in this message, she invited me to her trailer to discuss our lines while she was pumping breast milk. This evidence directly undermines her accusations, yet the Times conveniently chose to ignore it.
**Archyde:** You also mentioned that ms.Lively never filed a formal lawsuit against you. Can you explain the significance of that?
**Justin Baldoni:** Correct. Instead of pursuing legal action through the proper channels, Ms. Lively and her team opted for a less transparent approach. They submitted an 80-page letter to the California Civil Rights Department. this allowed them to avoid the accountability that comes with a formal lawsuit, like answering questions under oath and disclosing relevant communications. This, in my opinion, reeks of a PR stunt rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
**Archyde:** You’ve been very outspoken about your belief that The New York Times bowed to pressure from powerful Hollywood figures.
**Justin Baldoni:** I feel strongly that the Times prioritized sensationalism and pandering to influential figures over journalistic integrity. My legal team believes they pre-determined the outcome of their story, actively contributing to a smear campaign designed to resurrect Ms. lively’s waning public image.
**Archyde:** This lawsuit is undoubtedly a major growth. What message do you hope to send by pursuing legal action?
**justin Baldoni:** I want to hold The New York Times accountable for their reckless reporting. This isn’t just about me; it’s about defending the truth and ensuring responsible journalism. False accusations can have devastating consequences, ruining lives and careers.
**Archyde:** Lastly, what are your hopes for the outcome of this lawsuit?
**Justin Baldoni:** I seek justice. I want the truth to be heard and my reputation to be restored. I’m confident that with the evidence we have, the courts will see through the false narratives and hold those responsible accountable for the damage they have inflicted.
**Archyde:** Thank you for your time, Mr.Baldoni. we appreciate you sharing your side of the story.
**Justin Baldoni:** Thank you.
