Trump Adviser Chris LaCivita Sues The Daily Beast for Defamation Over Campaign Pay Allegations
Chris LaCivita, senior adviser and former co-campaign manager for Donald Trump, has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Daily Beast, accusing the left-leaning outlet of publishing a false and damaging article about his earnings from the Trump 2024 campaign.
In the suit, LaCivita argues that the outlet’s reporting was not only inaccurate but published with “reckless disregard for the truth,” a legal standard that must be met to prove defamation against public figures.
The Allegations
The article in question, written by investigative journalist Michael Isikoff, alleged that LaCivita personally profited $22 million from the Trump campaign. LaCivita disputes that figure, asserting that the money cited in the article largely went toward campaign advertising and operational expenses, not personal income.
LaCivita’s legal team says the Daily Beast’s reporting gave readers the false impression that he was personally enriching himself “at the expense of the campaign,” thereby harming his professional reputation and future business opportunities.
“Defendant’s false statements created the false impression that Mr. LaCivita was charging exorbitant rates for his services and personally enriching himself…,” the lawsuit states.
“As a direct and proximate result of the publication of the defamatory statements, Mr. LaCivita has suffered special damages, including damage to his reputation and loss of business income.”
Response from The Daily Beast
Following a legal warning, The Daily Beast did make limited corrections to the article. They revised the earnings figure from $22 million to $19.2 million and removed a podcast episode in which Isikoff discussed the original claim. However, the article remains live on their website, and the company has stood firmly behind its reporting.
“The Beast stands by its reporting on Chris LaCivita,” the publication said in a statement. “His lawsuit is meritless and a transparent attempt to intimidate the Beast and silence the independent press.”
The outlet added that it “looks forward to following the money to confirm where every penny flowed in LaCivita’s LLC.”
Legal Representation and Fallout
LaCivita will be represented by high-profile attorney Mark Geragos, whose previous clients have included Chris Brown, Jussie Smollett, Winona Ryder, and Colin Kaepernick.
While the lawsuit does not specify an exact monetary figure for damages, if successful, a significant award could place financial strain on The Daily Beast.
Trump’s Reaction
According to Axios, the story initially sparked outrage from President Trump, who demanded clarification from LaCivita. After reviewing campaign finance records and getting a full explanation, Trump expressed support for LaCivita and reportedly encouraged him to pursue legal action.
LaCivita confirmed the lawsuit publicly on social media, posting:
“F*** around and find out,” alongside a link to the article in question.
What’s Next?
The case now moves to the courts, where both sides are expected to present detailed financial records and evidence. The outcome could have major implications—not only for The Daily Beast, but for political media reporting and campaign finance transparency in future elections.
