Newsweek senior reporter Kurt Eichenwald made good on his promise to pursue legal action this week against an Twitter user accused of purposely causing the journalist to have an epileptic seizure.
Mr. Eichenwald, 55, asked a Dallas County District Court judge on Monday to compel Twitter for any and all records relating to an anonymous account holder he blames with causing him to have a seizure last Thursday evening by exploiting his epilepsy, according to legal filings.
A presiding judge authorized the request within hours Monday, in turn directing Twitter to turn over any information it has pertaining to @jew_goldestein, a pseudonymous social media user who allegedly triggered Mr. Eichenwald’s condition last week by tweeting an image at the reporter composed of a flashing strobe and the words: “You deserve a seizure for your posts.”
“It worked,” Mr. Eichenwald responded afterwards, adding that he’d be taking legal action to ensure “huge consequences” for whomever was behind the tweet.
“As promised, I will be tweeting legal updates about the assault on me,” Mr. Eichenwald wrote in a Monday tweet that linked to a copy of the District Court filing. “I’m coming for you, you son of a bitch.”
Mr. Eichenwald also filed a criminal assault complaint Monday with the Dallas Police Department in connection with the alleged Twitter assault, Newsweek. reported. Timothy S. Perkins, an attorney for the reporter, added that Mr. Eichenwald will file an additional complaint in the jurisdiction of the Twitter user in question if and when their name and location are identified by internet records.
“Somehow, we have descended as a nation to the point that people think it’s justified to cause severe harm to someone simply because of politics or because they believe it’s funny,” Mr. Eichenwald told Newsweek. “I have decided to pursue this case so that those online who believe they can do whatever they want, even inflict serious medical damage on others, under the cloak of anonymity will learn that they are not beyond the reach of the law. I fully intend to pursue this matter until this individual is arrested for his assault.”
Mr. Eichenwald said Thursday’s seizure happened within hours of being interviewed on Fox News about his coverage of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign during a contentious segment with host Tucker Carlson that resulted in the Newsweek reporter being mocked over social media.
“It was an intentional crime,” Mr. Eichenwald tweeted Monday. “I got injured and was laid up in bed for 24 hours. Because a guy didn’t like my coverage of Trump.”
Twitter’s company policy prevents it from commenting on individual accounts or investigations.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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