Trump Sues Hillary Claiming 'Russia Connection'... Demands Punitive Damages

Controversy Over Trump Campaign's Alleged Collusion with Russia During the 2016 Election

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate at the time, and Democratic Party members who claimed that his campaign colluded with Russia ahead of the 2016 presidential election, major foreign media including AFP reported on the 24th (local time).

In a 108-page complaint submitted to the Florida Federal Court, former President Trump stated, "Ahead of the 2016 presidential election, the defendants maliciously fabricated false stories that the opposing candidate was colluding with Russia." He added, "They manipulated evidence, deceived law enforcement, and abused access to classified information for this purpose," and said, "These actions are absurd, destructive, and provocative, making even the Watergate scandal seem faint in comparison."

Former President Trump also sued John Podesta, who was the campaign chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, former FBI Director James Comey who investigated the possibility of collusion with Russia, and Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer who raised suspicions of collusion. The lawsuit also includes Perkins Coie, the law firm that advised Hillary's campaign, and Fusion GPS, a private company hired by this law firm to investigate former President Trump. He is demanding at least $72 million (approximately 88 billion KRW) in damages along with a jury trial.

Earlier, documents prepared by the FBI and Steele before the November 2016 election claimed that Russia was working behind the scenes with Trump. Subsequently, a 2020 Senate report led by Republicans also revealed multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.

Robert Mueller, the former special counsel who investigated the 'Russia connection' allegations, uncovered several contacts between the Trump side and Russia during the 2016 election process. In his report at the time, Mueller stated, "The Russian government believed it would benefit if President Trump was elected and worked for him," and added, "The campaign expected to benefit in the election from stolen information obtained through Russia's efforts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.