On June 30, the New York Supreme Court granted Robert Trump’s request for a temporary restraining order, halting the publication of Mary Trump’s tell-all book, “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man.”
The ruling, issued by Judge Hal B. Greenwald, is the first win for the President’s younger brother in his attempt to block his niece’s book. Mr. Trump previously asked the Queens Surrogate Court for an injunction, but the Queens court refused, writing that it did not have proper jurisdiction.
Robert Trump claims that Mary Trump’s book violates a confidentiality clause in a 2001 settlement agreement over Fred Trump Sr.’s estate. The book, due out on July 28, is said to contain details about Mary Trump’s relationship with Robert Trump and the President.
Mary Trump’s lawyer, Theodore Boutrous of Gibson Dunn, said that he plans to appeal the judge’s order, which he believes violates the First Amendment.
“The trial court’s temporary restraining order is only temporary, but it still is a prior restraint on core political speech that flatly violates the First Amendment,” Boutrous, said in a statement. “We will immediately appeal. This book, which addresses matters of great public concern and importance about a sitting president in election year, should not be suppressed even for one day.”
Following the court’s decision, three major press advocacy groups filed an amicus brief on behalf of Mary Trump and the book’s publisher. In their brief, PEN America, the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press, and the Association of American Publishers argue that the book is of “immense public interest” and should proceed without interference.
Greenwald has scheduled a hearing on July 10 to hear arguments over whether he should issue a permanent injunction.
The Daily BeastCourthouse News
Tags
