A judge on Wednesday dismissed Trump supporter Ray Epps’ defamation lawsuit against Fox News, ending a year-long legal battle.
On January 6, defendant Epps a July 2023 claim Fox News told a “fantasy story” that Epps acted as an undercover FBI agent responsible for the violence during the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. A Trump supporter had become a target right–wing conspiracy theories and was featured in dozens of Fox News segments, many anchored by then-anchor Tucker Carlson.
Epps claimed original complaint that Fox News, “Mr. Carlson in particular, has embarked on a years-long campaign to spread lies about Epps.”
“These lies destroyed the lives of Ray and Robin,” the complaint continued, referring to Epps and his wife.
But on Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer L. Hall of Delaware agreed with Fox News’ proposal. dismissal of the case on a “no claim” basis.
Attorneys for Epps and Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Carlson and Fox News parted ways in April 2023 and The Tucker Carlson Network also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In statements Fox News made to other outlets, the network cited additional lawsuits filed against the network.
“After being fired YankovicIn the Bobulinski and now Epps cases, Fox News is pleased with these back-to-back federal court decisions protecting First Amendment press freedoms,” the network said in statements. other points of sale.
Earlier this year it was Epps was sentenced to a suspended sentence after that to beged guilty on felony charges related to the January 6 attack.
Far-right conspiracy theories about Epps say the person pictured on the FBI’s website is a government agent and that January 6 was a “false flag” incident promoted by the FBI. Carlson pointed this out in an article opinion piece “You would talk to Ray Epps and various FBI informants,” he said, airing on Fox News Digital, if law enforcement officials wanted to understand the events of January 6, 2021.
According to the FBI, Epps is not and never has been an asset to the bureau.
one August 2023 applicationFox News’ lawyers argued that Epps’ lawsuit was “a direct attack on the First Amendment.”
“This lawsuit attacks fundamental First Amendment-protected speech in which Fox opinion hosts ask questions, seek answers, and comment and opine on widely reported and undisputed facts about Plaintiff’s prominent role in one of the greatest public controversies in political history: the January 6 attack on the Capitol.” , – the document says.
As of August 6, more than 1,488 the accused persons were charged on January 6. according to Ministry of Justice.
Ryan J. Reilly contributed.