Federal judge dismisses former Trump supporter’s defamation suit against Fox News
Raymond Epps, a former Oath Keeper member, said he was the target of conspiracies over his role in US Capitol attack
TL;DR
- A federal judge dismissed Raymond Epps' defamation lawsuit against Fox News for the second time.
- Epps claimed Fox News broadcast inaccurate conspiracy claims about his involvement in the 6 January 2021 US Capitol attack.
- The judge ruled Epps did not provide sufficient evidence showing Fox knowingly aired false information or acted with "actual malice."
- The lawsuit identified former Fox host Tucker Carlson as a key figure in spreading the conspiracy theory.
- Fox News stated it was pleased with the ruling, preserving press freedoms.
- Epps previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor related to the Capitol attack and received a pardon from Donald Trump.
- Federal prosecutors have supported Epps' denials of being an FBI informant or government agent at the Capitol.