It’s been almost three months since Tucker Carlson’s tumultuous departure from Fox Information, and the community remains to be cleansing up his mess. On Wednesday, Fox was slapped with one other Carlson-related lawsuit—this time by Ray Epps, the Trump supporter who Carlson and different right-wing personalities repeatedly claimed was an undercover federal agent within the January 6 Capitol riot.
Of their criticism filed with the Delaware Superior Courtroom, Epps’s attorneys accuse Fox Information of conjuring a “fantastical story”—one which portrayed their consumer as an agent provocateur who helped incite the rebel on behalf of the FBI. They particularly point out commentary from Carlson, who they are saying waged a “years-long marketing campaign” of lies that depicted Epps as a “villain” and “destroyed” his life.
“Fox and Mr. Carlson made Epps the central determine in a lie they concocted about January 6, 2021. After destroying Epps’s status and livelihood, Fox will transfer on to its subsequent story, whereas Ray and [wife] Robyn dwell in a 350-square foot RV and face harassment and concern true hurt,” the go well with says. “Fox should be held accountable.” Whereas Carlson stays below contract with the community, his prime-time present was canceled earlier this yr, which led him to provide an impartial program on Twitter. (Per The New York Occasions, considered one of Epps’s attorneys, Michael Teter, first issued a retraction and apology request when Carlson was nonetheless on the community; that request was ignored.)
The go well with additionally makes reference to the community’s latest $787.5 million settlement in a defamation go well with introduced by Dominion Voting Methods. “Simply as Fox had targeted on voting machine firms when falsely claiming a rigged election, Fox knew it wanted a scapegoat for January sixth,” reads the criticism, which was filed in the identical Delaware court docket that heard the Dominion case.
Epps’s authorized offensive may bear out one other loss for Fox, partly as a result of it throws chilly water on an argument that Fox’s attorneys have routinely used to shake previous defamation fits. As Invoice Grueskin, the previous educational dean of Columbia Journalism Faculty, tweeted: “The corporate has lengthy held Tucker Carlson [and other hosts] can’t be held chargeable for defamation as a result of they’re simply expressing opinions. However Epps’ attorneys accused Carlson saying, on TV, ‘I knew for a reality.’”
Fox Information and Carlson didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Proper-wing conspiracy theories about Epps started floating round in mid-2021, shortly after a video clip emerged of him addressing fellow Trump supporters on the night time earlier than the assault, urging them to enter the Capitol constructing the next day. Throughout the rebel itself, Epps was recorded providing to assist officers push the rioters again. He was additionally by no means charged for his participation within the protest, main figures like Carlson to accuse Epps of secretly working for the federal government.
Whereas Carlson’s idea was seemingly debunked in January of final yr, with the Occasions reporting that Epps had set the file straight whereas talking to Home investigators in November 2021, it has however remained influential on the suitable—in each media and Congress. On Wednesday, Consultant Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican, raised it throughout a listening to with FBI director Christopher Wray, asking him if he can be arresting Epps. (“I’m not going to interact right here in a dialogue about particular person people who find themselves or will not be going to be prosecuted,” Wray answered.) “In the event you don’t arrest Mr. Epps, there’s a purpose behind it,” Nehls told Wray. “I imagine you understand what it’s, and it seems to me you’re defending this man. I strongly suggest you get your own home again so as.”
