Federal judge dismisses former Trump supporter’s defamation suit against Fox News
Summary
A federal judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Raymond Epps against Fox News. Epps, a former supporter of President Trump, claimed Fox News falsely accused him of provoking violence during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, which led to threats against him and his family.Key Facts
- Raymond Epps sued Fox News, saying the network wrongly called him a government agent who caused violence at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
- Epps and his wife faced threats and harassment, causing them to sell their Arizona ranch and live in a recreational vehicle.
- A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit twice because Epps did not show Fox News knowingly spread false information.
- The legal standard “actual malice” means Epps had to prove Fox intentionally lied or ignored the truth, which the judge found was not met.
- Tucker Carlson, a former Fox host, was identified as a main promoter of the conspiracy theory about Epps.
- Epps is a former marine and was once part of the far-right Oath Keepers group.
- Epps pleaded guilty to a minor offense related to the Capitol attack and was pardoned by President Trump.
- Federal prosecutors support Epps’ denial that he worked for the FBI or government during the Capitol attack.
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