UPDATE:

The latest filing shows how seriously they’re taking this case, not because it’s strong on the facts, but because they’ve built a highly detailed and emotionally charged narrative designed to survive dismissal and force it into trial. Alyssa and her team of lawyers are now exploiting legal gray areas, throwing in everything from jurisdictional claims to obscure state laws, and accusing me of things like "bias-based harassment" and "stochastic terrorism" to create the illusion of a legitimate case. Their goal isn’t justice, it’s to financially cripple me through an overwhelming legal onslaught. Because of this escalation and the complexity of what lies ahead, I’ve had a conversation with my lawyer, Ron Coleman, and he suggested raising additional funds to help cover the expected costs. I am raising the goal to $200,000 to ensure I have the resources to properly defend myself and see this through. Thank you in advance for all your support!

Original request:

Alyssa Mercante, former "Senior Editor" at Kotaku, has taken her long-standing obsession with attacking my professional coverage of the video game industry to a dangerous new level. She’s now escalating her feud by filing an outrageous and baseless lawsuit against me in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. This lawsuit is nothing more than a blatant attempt to silence me, harm my reputation, and put me and my family at risk—all while keeping her name in the headlines and maintaining her relevance.

The 54-page lawsuit, filled with lies and false assumptions, accuses me of some seriously ludicrous claims, like “stochastic terrorism,” defamation, bias-related violence or intimidation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and tortious interference. These claims are not only legally frivolous but are also clearly designed to smear me and force me into silence through an exhausting legal battle.

Mercante has retained activist lawyers with a clear agenda to bring this ridiculous case against me, and the video game industry to it's knees. This isn’t about justice or accountability; it’s about silencing dissent, punishing critique, and maintaining her position in the spotlight.

As a content creator and journalist, I’ve always strived to provide my audience with a fair and honest analysis of the video game industry. But defending myself against this lawsuit unfortunately requires resources well beyond my current means. That’s why I’m asking for your help. Your contributions will go DIRECTLY towards legal fees, ensuring that I can mount a strong defense against these absurd claims and protect not only my reputation but also my family’s safety.

This case isn’t just about me. It’s about all gamers, standing up against the misuse of the legal system to bully and silence independent voices working tirelessly to improve the quality of gaming. Together, we will fight back and send a message that frivolous lawsuits like this have no place in a free and fair society.

Thank you for your support,

Smash JT