Federal judge dismisses former Trump supporter’s defamation lawsuit against Fox News
PHOENIX (AP) — A federal judge on Friday filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and ordered the verdict. second time A former Donald Trump supporter says she received death threats when she posted false conspiracy theories about his involvement in a terrorist organization. parliamentary revolt On January 6, 2021.
Raymond Epps, a former Marine, was accused by Fox of being a government agent who caused trouble near the Capitol that day, so the blame was placed on Trump supporters. He said he and his wife sold the Arizona ranch where they lived and moved into a recreational vehicle because of the harassment they faced following Fox’s coverage.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall in Delaware granted Fox’s motion to dismiss the case, finding that Epps failed to present sufficient evidence to prove that Fox knew his statements were false.
The judge had previously dismissed the case in 2024 but gave Epps a second chance to make his case. He said Friday he still fell short in his decision.
Epps named Tucker Carlson. fired from Fox In April 2023 as the most active supporter of the conspiracy theory. At the time, Carlson was hosting Fox’s most popular show. Epps appeared in more than two dozen episodes of Carlson’s prime-time program, the lawsuit said.
“Following the events of January 6, Fox News looked for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party,” Epps’ lawyers wrote in their lawsuit. he wrote. “They finally opened one of them.”
In a statement Friday night, Fox News said it was “pleased with the federal court’s decision that further protects First Amendment press freedoms.”
Epps pleaded guilty He was sentenced to one year of probation on misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6 riot. He was later pardoned by Trump along with 1,500 other people. tolerance received for their role in the uprising.
Federal prosecutors backed Epps’ harsh denial that he was a government plant or an FBI agent. They say Epps was never a government employee or agent beyond serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983.
