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NY Times Promotes David McCraw, Lawyer Who Called Out Trump During Election

By William Vogeler, Esq. on January 13, 2017 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

David E. McCraw, newly appointed deputy general counsel for the New York Times, isn't one to shy away from confronting powerful people. At least, that's the reputation he earned for himself when he stood up against Donald Trump's lawyers during the presidential campaign last year.

They demanded that the Times apologize and retract an article about two women who alleged Trump had groped them. Showing that the pen may be mightier than the sword, McCraw virtually stared them down and said: "Go ahead. Make my day."

McCraw's Famous Letter to Trump's Lawyers

Actually, he said this in a letter that went viral:

"We published newsworthy information about a subject of deep public concern. If Mr. Trump disagrees, if he believes that American citizens have no right to hear what these women had to say and that the law of this country forces us and those who would dare to criticize him to stand silent or be punished, we welcome the opportunity to have a court set him straight."

Trump may have won the election, but he lost that showdown.

Who Is This Guy?

McCraw brings a strong reputation to his elevation at the Times. He had served as assistant general counsel, and now will become vice president and deputy general counsel.

Diane Brayton, the company's new general counsel, said in an email that McCraw is "one of the best media lawyers in the country and a tireless defender of the First Amendment."

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