The sister-in-law of former national security advisor Mike Flynn has filed a $100 million lawsuit against CNN over a report that pegged them as supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Valerie Flynn accuses the Cable News Network of deceptively editing videos to make it appear that she was pledging allegiance to a conspiracy group.
“CNN abandoned all journalistic standards and integrity, including CNN’s own standards and code of ethics, in writing, editing, and publishing the false narrative,” the lawsuit alleges. “CNN did not seek the truth or report it. It betrayed the truth to sensationalize the news for self-glory, profit and politics.”
The lawsuit says Valerie Flynn is not a supporter of QAnon, which is characterized as a “violent, extremist group.” It further alleges that the report exposed her to “public scorn, ridicule and contempt, and lowered her esteem in the community, causing insult, embarrassment, humiliation and substantial injury to her reputation.”
She is seeking $25 million in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages from CNN.
CNN is also being sued by Flynn’s other relatives for $75 million over the same claims made in the news report.
Part of CNN’s claims involve the use of the phrase “Where we go one, we go all,” which is used by members of QAnon to identify each other. The Flynns say that Michael Flynn’s use of the phrase had nothing to do with the conspiracy group.
“According to some, the phrase ‘where we go one, we go all’ was first engraved on a bell on one of President John F. Kennedy’s sailboats, acknowledging the unity of mankind,” read a footnote in the family’s lawsuit.
That lawsuit is ongoing.
“Enough is enough with CNN, and the lies about our family,” said Leslie Flynn in a statement about their lawsuit. “We cannot sit by any longer and allow CNN to disparage our good name. This has got to stop.”