According to the former president, the news channel has tried to smear him with "a series of increasingly scandalous, false and defamatory designations such as 'racist', 'Russian lackey' and 'insurgent'", claim Donald Trump's lawyers.

Trump claims that CNN used its considerable influence as a leading news organization to overthrow him politically.

In the 29-page lawsuit, he writes that the company has criticized him for several years, but that the "attacks" have escalated in recent months.

CNN has declined to comment on the incident, according to The Guardian.

The lawsuit comes as the former president faces significant legal troubles, including a criminal investigation by the US Department of Justice for keeping government records at his Florida estate after he steps down as president in 2021.

Watch a summary of the search of Trump's property in the clip below.

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When Donald Trump left the presidency in January 2021, he took documents with him to his residence in Florida.

Photo: Reuters