Megan Twohey

Well, for instance, one PR person texts Melissa Nathan, quote, "'The narrative online is so freaking good and fans are still sticking up for Justin. You did such amazing work,' she writes." And Nathan replies, narrative is crazy good. The majority of socials are so pro-Justin, and I don't even agree with half of them. LOL.

Well, for instance, one PR person texts Melissa Nathan, quote, "'The narrative online is so freaking good and fans are still sticking up for Justin. You did such amazing work,' she writes." And Nathan replies, narrative is crazy good. The majority of socials are so pro-Justin, and I don't even agree with half of them. LOL.

So before the story was published, we contacted them and we detailed each allegation item by item so they could respond to each point and told them that we needed to hear back within 14 hours.

So before the story was published, we contacted them and we detailed each allegation item by item so they could respond to each point and told them that we needed to hear back within 14 hours.

Right. And less than two hours later, we got a statement prepared by a lawyer that said the story was false, denying that a smear campaign existed and broadly denying the allegations and liveliest complaint. Baldoni and his team did not address specific allegations, text messages, and other documents referenced in the story.

Right. And less than two hours later, we got a statement prepared by a lawyer that said the story was false, denying that a smear campaign existed and broadly denying the allegations and liveliest complaint. Baldoni and his team did not address specific allegations, text messages, and other documents referenced in the story.

They did not agree to interviews, nor did they provide any additional information. Then, 10 days after our story was published, Baldoni and his associates filed a legal complaint against the New York Times.

They did not agree to interviews, nor did they provide any additional information. Then, 10 days after our story was published, Baldoni and his associates filed a legal complaint against the New York Times.

The lawsuit takes on two issues. First is the alleged smear campaign, and second, Lively's allegations of misconduct during filming. Baldoni's team continues to deny that a smear campaign ever took place, and they accuse Lively and the Times of cherry-picking or misrepresenting text messages to suggest that it did.

The lawsuit takes on two issues. First is the alleged smear campaign, and second, Lively's allegations of misconduct during filming. Baldoni's team continues to deny that a smear campaign ever took place, and they accuse Lively and the Times of cherry-picking or misrepresenting text messages to suggest that it did.

Well, the lawsuit, for example, signals out one text exchange between the PR people, which we quoted in the story, in which they appear to take credit for a negative article about Lively that was published last summer. Baldoni's team says other parts of the exchange indicate that it was sarcastic and showed they were not really taking credit for the article.

Well, the lawsuit, for example, signals out one text exchange between the PR people, which we quoted in the story, in which they appear to take credit for a negative article about Lively that was published last summer. Baldoni's team says other parts of the exchange indicate that it was sarcastic and showed they were not really taking credit for the article.

Well, they also claim that this exchange between the PR people was Lively's only evidence of a smear campaign. But as you just heard, that wasn't the extent of it. Her complaint in our story referenced many text messages and other documents.

Well, they also claim that this exchange between the PR people was Lively's only evidence of a smear campaign. But as you just heard, that wasn't the extent of it. Her complaint in our story referenced many text messages and other documents.

Here, they don't deny that Lively made allegations during shooting and that Wayfair agreed to accommodate her requests. Instead, they are disputing her characterization of events and taking aim at her credibility.

Here, they don't deny that Lively made allegations during shooting and that Wayfair agreed to accommodate her requests. Instead, they are disputing her characterization of events and taking aim at her credibility.

So, for example, they cite a text message that she sent Baldoni in which she said, I'm pumping in my trailer if you want to work on lines to suggest that this means she wouldn't have minded if he saw her breastfeeding. They don't say whether he did come to her trailer at that time or if he did, whether she continued to pump in front of him.

So, for example, they cite a text message that she sent Baldoni in which she said, I'm pumping in my trailer if you want to work on lines to suggest that this means she wouldn't have minded if he saw her breastfeeding. They don't say whether he did come to her trailer at that time or if he did, whether she continued to pump in front of him.

Yes, and they're also saying that Lively made the allegations as a way to wrest control of the movie away from Baldoni and his production company. They say that all of this was a power grab and that her legal complaint was part of a smear campaign that she's been waging against him.

Yes, and they're also saying that Lively made the allegations as a way to wrest control of the movie away from Baldoni and his production company. They say that all of this was a power grab and that her legal complaint was part of a smear campaign that she's been waging against him.