Judge dismisses Jan. 6 defendant's defamation lawsuit against Fox News
A judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit that Trump supporter Ray Epps brought against Fox News, bringing the year-long legal battle to a close.
A judge on Wednesday dismissed a defamation lawsuit that Trump supporter Ray Epps brought against Fox News, bringing the yearlong legal battle to a close.
Epps, a Jan. 6 defendant, argued in a July 2023 lawsuit that Fox News told a "fantastical story" that Epps acted as an undercover FBI agent who was responsible for violence during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Trump supporter had become a target of right-wing conspiracy theories and was featured in dozens of Fox News segments, many of which were anchored by then-host Tucker Carlson.
Epps had alleged in the original complaint that Fox News, "and particularly Mr. Carlson, commenced a years-long campaign spreading falsehoods about Epps."
"Those lies have destroyed Ray’s and Robyn’s lives," the complaint continued, referring to Epps and his wife.
But Judge Jennifer L. Hall of the U.S. District Court of Delaware on Wednesday agreed with Fox News' motion, dismissing the case on the basis of "failure to state a claim."
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