Legal AF by MeidasTouch Trump Crushed by Entire Panel of Judges in Humiliating Loss
Mar 18, 2026
A legal breakdown of an 11th Circuit rebuke and the complete failure of an en banc rehearing. Analysis of claims that Trump 'reshaped' corporate media and why that might signal trouble for his libel suits. Rundown of ongoing cases against major outlets and mediation updates. Discussion of possible strategic motives to keep lawsuits alive for leverage.
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11th Circuit Unanimously Keeps CNN Ruling Intact
- The 11th Circuit rejected Donald Trump's attempt to rehear his CNN defamation appeal en banc, with no judge voting to overturn the panel.
- Michael Popok explains Judge Singhal ruled CNN's “big lie” and “Hitler-like” language are nonactionable opinion, and Trump couldn't get a single vote from all 12 active judges.
Opinion Labels Shield Media From Defamation
- Popok emphasizes that labeling statements as opinion protects outlets from defamation when they call claims the 'big lie' or compare behavior to Hitler.
- The practical result: courts apply First Amendment protections broadly to rhetoric about public figures, hamstringing these suits.
Trump's Media Brag Contrasted With Court Losses
- Popok recounts Trump posting that he 'reshaped the media' even as his media lawsuits fail across outlets like CNN and NYT.
- He connects Trump's social boast to the legal reality that several high-profile suits have been dismissed or stalled.