Sen. Warren’s Lawyer Dismisses CZ’s Defamation Threat As Baseless
Senator Elizabeth Warren has formally pushed again in opposition to a threatened defamation declare from Changpeng “CZ” Zhao’s authorized crew, saying any lawsuit could be with out advantage.
The alternate facilities on a social media publish Warren made on Oct. 23 and the attorneys’ competing accounts of what her publish meant and whether or not it repeats info already in public data.
Warren’s Lawyer Pushes Back
According to a letter filed by Warren’s legal professional, Ben Stafford, the senator relied on public DOJ supplies and courtroom data when she commented in regards to the matter.
Stafford wrote {that a} defamation swimsuit would lack authorized foundation and that public statements from the US Department of Justice had been the supply for key factual factors.
Reports have disclosed that Stafford’s response careworn First Amendment protections for commentary about public figures.
Warren’s Post And Sources
Based on reviews, Warren’s publish referenced language that appeared in DOJ disclosures from 2023 and associated filings. Those public paperwork had been cited by a number of retailers that obtained the letters exchanged between the events.
The story has been reported by mainstream and crypto-focused newsrooms, and the first letters — one demanding a retraction and the opposite replying — had been highlighted as central proof within the dispute.
CZ pleaded responsible to a felony cash laundering cost and was sentenced to jail.
But then he financed President Trump’s stablecoin and lobbied for a pardon.
Today, he bought it.
If Congress doesn’t cease this sort of corruption, it owns it. pic.twitter.com/NsWeaJcVeK
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 23, 2025
CZ’s Legal Demand And The Timeline
CZ’s authorized demand was despatched by Teresa Goody Guillén, who’s recognized in protection as counsel for Zhao, co-founder and former CEO of Binance.
The demand requested a retraction of Warren’s Oct. 23 publish and threatened litigation if the publish weren’t eliminated. CZ publicly mentioned he would possibly sue until the publish was taken down.
On Lawsuits & Pardons
In November 2023, Zhao admitted guilt for not conserving Binance’s Anti-Money Laundering program as much as customary, violating the Bank Secrecy Act, and was later sentenced to 4 months in jail by a Seattle courtroom in April 2024.
Warren later fueled controversy with a publish on X claiming Zhao had financed US President Donald Trump’s stablecoin undertaking and sought a pardon, a press release that reignited public debate over Trump’s connection to Binance and his household’s crypto startup, World Liberty Financial.
Legal Hurdles For A Defamation Suit
According to authorized commentators quoted in reporting, defamation claims in opposition to public figures face a high bar below US legislation as a result of plaintiffs should present “precise malice” — {that a} false assertion was made knowingly or with reckless disregard for the reality.
That customary was raised in basic Supreme Court rulings and was referenced repeatedly within the protection as a cause why some attorneys view a swimsuit right here as an extended shot.
Featured picture from Vocal Media, chart from TradingView
