Justin Baldoni allegedly used Signal app to delete smear campaign messages vs Blake Lively

Justin Baldoni allegedly used the Signal app to delete smear campaign messages. Blake Lively’s lawyers claim he destroyed evidence on October 22, 2025. New court filings reveal deleted voice memos and texts. The allegations escalate their ongoing legal battle over It Ends with Us.

What Happened in Latest Court Filing

Blake Lively’s legal team filed a bombshell motion alleging deliberate evidence destruction. The Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Willkie Farr & Gallagher attorneys claim Baldoni used technical methods to cover tracks. They say he anticipated litigation as early as August 2024.

The filing reveals Signal app messages auto-delete by design. Voice memos were also used to discuss the alleged campaign. Lively’s team calls these choices clear attempts at hiding evidence before trial. They cite 12 previous discovery motions against defendants for non-compliance.

“Defendants have hid the ball at every turn in the discovery process, either failing to produce documents, or improperly cloaking them in attorney-client privilege.”

The Smear Campaign Allegations Explained

Lively accused Baldoni of orchestrating a coordinated attack on her reputation. The alleged campaign ran through 2024 following their creative disagreements on set. Publicist Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel are also named defendants in the lawsuit.

Depositions revealed conversations shifted to auto-deleting platforms during 2024. Lively’s team argues this wasn’t coincidental timing. They say it shows consciousness of guilt. The defendants allegedly directed social media messaging after Lively filed initial complaints in December 2024.

This strategy matters legally because intentional destruction suggests the messages contained damaging admissions. Courts can instruct juries to assume destroyed evidence supported the accuser’s version. This is called an “adverse inference instruction.”

The Evidence and Legal Strategy

Evidence Type	Details
Signal Messages	Auto-deleting encrypted texts discussing campaign strategy.
Voice Memos	Audio recordings allegedly deleted without preservation steps.
Production Timeline	Depositions from Katherine Case and Breanna Butler.
Legal Discovery	12 prior motions filed over document production failures.

Lively seeks adverse inference instructions that prejudice against the defendants. She wants judges to tell juries that destroyed messages hurt Baldoni’s defense. Her lawyers also demand sanctions for discovery violations and misconduct throughout litigation.

What to Watch For Moving Forward

• The March 9, 2026 trial date in New York remains on the calendar.
• Judge Lewis Liman will rule on sanctions and adverse inference motions soon.
• Baldoni’s legal team may request their own discovery extensions to prepare.
• Additional depositions could emerge revealing more platform usage patterns.
• Taylor Swift may still be subpoenaed depending on judge ruling.

Is the Signal Evidence Strategy Legally Risky for Baldoni?

Using an app designed for automatic deletion looks deeply suspicious in litigation. Even if messages were innocent chatter, the optics are devastating. Judges and juries understand that people preserve communications they rely on for defense.

Baldoni’s team hasn’t directly addressed the Signal allegations yet. They’ve consistently denied orchestrating any smear campaign. Their position remains that online negativity about Lively was organic. But the new filing complicates that narrative significantly.

The broader legal principle here matters: courts punish spoilation of evidence through adverse inferences. Lively’s team is essentially asking the judge to assume the destroyed messages proved her allegations. This could effectively end Baldoni’s retaliation defense before trial even begins.

When Will Judges Rule on These Destruction Allegations?

Lively’s motion was filed on October 22, 2025. Baldoni has time to respond with his own filings. The Jonesworks filing from publicist Jennifer Abel’s team supports Lively’s position. Judge Lewis Liman will likely schedule hearings before 2026 trial begins.

This latest development signals the case is entering its critical phase. Discovery violations often carry consequences that reshape litigation outcomes. If Liman grants adverse inferences, Baldoni faces an uncertain path to victory in March proceedings.

Sources

• Deadline – Comprehensive coverage of Signal app deletion allegations in October 2025 filing.
• BBC News – Timeline of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal battle and allegations.
• Vulture – Detailed explanation of ongoing lawsuit and trial preparations.