I'm wondering where the lawyer came up with that $250 Million figure. LOL
Seriously, if Trump and so many others really want to curb "fake news," then this is what they should do. Step back from any temptation to get government involved through potentially unconstitutional legislation or regulation and let the private sector sue the pants off the lies and propaganda purveyors. Maybe when their bottom line is severely affected, the smear merchants will go back to real journalism.
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It's an old negotiating tactic. Start well above what you want, then a mere $10-20 million settlement seems like chump change. Easy money.
Democrats use it all the time with legislation, starting with ridiculous demands, and getting what they wanted in the first place (and more) by being 'haggled down'.
Republicans see that as a 'victory' (it could have been so much worse), and don't have the sense to make equally outrageous demands in their initial negotiations. For some reason, most in the GOP are lousy horse traders.