Reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian is facing a defamation lawsuit after mistakenly identifying a New York man as a Texas death row inmate in a social media post.
The plaintiff, Ivan Cantu, a project manager from New York, claims Kardashian’s error has caused him significant emotional and reputational harm, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ.
Mistaken Identity Leads to Lawsuit
In February 2024, Kardashian—who is widely known for her advocacy in criminal justice reform—shared a post to raise awareness about Ivan Abner Cantu, a Texas death row inmate.
However, instead of using the correct individual’s photo, she mistakenly uploaded an image of the New York-based Cantu, exposing him to public embarrassment, ridicule, and emotional distress.
Cantu’s lawsuit alleges that he has suffered from sleep loss, headaches, nightmares, and symptoms resembling PTSD due to the incident. Despite Kardashian swiftly deleting the post, he argues that the damage had already been done, given her massive online following and influence.
Legal Claims and Kardashian’s Response
Cantu is suing Kardashian for libel, slander, and emotional damages, citing significant harm to his reputation and the need for medical care and counseling as a result. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages for the distress allegedly caused by the high-profile mistake.
Kardashian’s attorney, Michael Rhodes, issued a statement describing the situation as an unfortunate mistake rather than an act of malice.
“It was a simple error of using a publicly available photo of another individual with the same name to promote Kim’s longstanding commitment to criminal justice reform,” Rhodes said. “The image was taken down immediately once the mistake was realized.”
Despite efforts to resolve the matter outside of court, Rhodes asserted that Kardashian’s legal team is prepared to defend her in litigation if necessary.
Legal Precedents and Potential Outcomes
Defamation lawsuits involving high-profile public figures and social media have increased in recent years, raising legal questions about the responsibility influencers and celebrities bear when sharing content.
In Cantu’s case, the success of the lawsuit may depend on whether he can prove that Kardashian’s post met the legal standard for defamation, which typically requires false statements, negligence, and demonstrable harm. Legal experts suggest that intent and damages will be central to the case, and Kardashian’s swift removal of the post could factor into her defense.
As the lawsuit progresses, the case will likely draw attention to the legal risks of social media activism and the broader implications of high-profile individuals engaging in advocacy without thorough fact-checking.
