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A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against Fox News and its former primetime host Tucker Carlson, ruling that the plaintiff, January 6 participant James Ray Epps Sr., failed to demonstrate the “actual malice” required by law.

Judge Jennifer L. Hall of the Delaware Federal District Court, a Biden appointee, issued the ruling last week, concluding that Epps did not provide sufficient evidence to show that Carlson or Fox News knowingly spread false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

The lawsuit focused on Carlson’s repeated assertions that Epps was a federal agent who instigated the January 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. Epps, a former Marine and alleged Trump supporter, argued in his complaint that these claims had irreparably harmed his reputation, exposed him to threats and harassment, and caused significant financial losses.

Epps, a former fan of Carlson’s show, claimed that the allegations against him upended his life. According to the complaint, he faced relentless harassment, including death threats, gunfire near his property, and the loss of his Arizona home and business.

Epps further alleged that he and his wife were forced to relocate and live in an RV to avoid ongoing threats. The lawsuit accused Carlson’s reporting of “destroying” their livelihood and reputation, despite Epps’s cooperation with authorities and testimony denying any ties to law enforcement.

Defamation cases involving public figures, like Ray Epps, are often difficult to win due to the high legal standard set by the Supreme Court in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan.

“Following the dismissals of the Jankowicz, Bobulinski and now Epps cases, Fox News is pleased with these back-to-back decisions from federal courts preserving the press freedoms of the First Amendment,” the network said in a statement.

Carlson, who departed from Fox News in April 2023, continues to be a polarizing yet influential figure in the media landscape. His dismissal was rumored to be linked to Dominion Voting Systems, which won a high-profile lawsuit against the network. According to Carlson’s biographer, his planned monologue before his firing was set to focus on Epps.

Epps faced a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct for his actions on January 6. He pleaded guilty and, in January 2024, was sentenced to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service.

Carlson alleged that Epps was an FBI informant who incited the Capitol breach to undermine Trump supporters. These claims were fueled by videos of Epps encouraging protesters to enter the Capitol and the fact that he was not immediately arrested or charged.

Epps testified under oath before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 breach. He stated that he had no connections to the FBI or any other law enforcement agency, despite being accused of being a “fed” in a video clip that circulated after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol Building. The video appeared to be from the night before then-President Trump’s “Stop the Steal” speech in which a figure others claimed to be Epps was seen encouraging people to storm the Capitol the next day.

“We’re far beyond that. In fact, tomorrow—I don’t even like to say it because I’ll be arrested—we need to go into the Capitol. We’re here to defend the Constitution,” he said in the video.

“I’m going to put this out there. I’m probably going to jail for it. Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol. Into the Capitol. Peacefully,” he said.

The Democrat-run committee confirmed that Epps was neither an informant nor an agent for any law enforcement entity.

The post Tucker Carlson Wins Legal Battle With Notable ‘Jan. 6’ Figure appeared first on Conservative Brief.

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against Fox News and its former primetime host Tucker Carlson, ruling that the plaintiff, January 6 participant James Ray Epps Sr., failed to demonstrate the “actual malice” required by law.

Judge Jennifer L. Hall of the Delaware Federal District Court, a Biden appointee, issued the ruling last week, concluding that Epps did not provide sufficient evidence to show that Carlson or Fox News knowingly spread false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

The lawsuit focused on Carlson’s repeated assertions that Epps was a federal agent who instigated the January 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. Epps, a former Marine and alleged Trump supporter, argued in his complaint that these claims had irreparably harmed his reputation, exposed him to threats and harassment, and caused significant financial losses.

Epps, a former fan of Carlson’s show, claimed that the allegations against him upended his life. According to the complaint, he faced relentless harassment, including death threats, gunfire near his property, and the loss of his Arizona home and business.

Epps further alleged that he and his wife were forced to relocate and live in an RV to avoid ongoing threats. The lawsuit accused Carlson’s reporting of “destroying” their livelihood and reputation, despite Epps’s cooperation with authorities and testimony denying any ties to law enforcement.

Defamation cases involving public figures, like Ray Epps, are often difficult to win due to the high legal standard set by the Supreme Court in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan.

“Following the dismissals of the Jankowicz, Bobulinski and now Epps cases, Fox News is pleased with these back-to-back decisions from federal courts preserving the press freedoms of the First Amendment,” the network said in a statement.

Carlson, who departed from Fox News in April 2023, continues to be a polarizing yet influential figure in the media landscape. His dismissal was rumored to be linked to Dominion Voting Systems, which won a high-profile lawsuit against the network. According to Carlson’s biographer, his planned monologue before his firing was set to focus on Epps.

Epps faced a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct for his actions on January 6. He pleaded guilty and, in January 2024, was sentenced to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service.

Carlson alleged that Epps was an FBI informant who incited the Capitol breach to undermine Trump supporters. These claims were fueled by videos of Epps encouraging protesters to enter the Capitol and the fact that he was not immediately arrested or charged.

Epps testified under oath before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 breach. He stated that he had no connections to the FBI or any other law enforcement agency, despite being accused of being a “fed” in a video clip that circulated after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol Building. The video appeared to be from the night before then-President Trump’s “Stop the Steal” speech in which a figure others claimed to be Epps was seen encouraging people to storm the Capitol the next day.

“We’re far beyond that. In fact, tomorrow—I don’t even like to say it because I’ll be arrested—we need to go into the Capitol. We’re here to defend the Constitution,” he said in the video.

“I’m going to put this out there. I’m probably going to jail for it. Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol. Into the Capitol. Peacefully,” he said.

The Democrat-run committee confirmed that Epps was neither an informant nor an agent for any law enforcement entity.

The post Tucker Carlson Wins Legal Battle With Notable ‘Jan. 6’ Figure appeared first on Conservative Brief.