A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Ray Epps, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, against Fox News. The lawsuit claimed that Fox News, particularly through its former host Tucker Carlson, spread false stories about Epps, accusing him of being an undercover FBI agent who incited violence during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Epps became the center of conspiracy theories pushed by far-right groups, and his name popped up in dozens of Fox News segments. Tucker Carlson often suggested that Epps might have worked for the FBI and played a key role in the chaos. Epps and his wife, Robyn, said these claims wrecked their lives.
However, Judge Jennifer Hall ruled in favor of Fox News, saying the lawsuit didn’t have enough grounds to move forward. Fox News responded to the win by saying it was a victory for freedom of the press, protected by the First Amendment.
Earlier this year, Epps pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor related to the January 6 attack and was sentenced to probation. Despite conspiracy theories suggesting otherwise, the FBI has stated that Epps was never one of their agents.
Fox News argued in court that their coverage of Epps was about asking tough questions and sharing opinions on public events, something they say is protected under the First Amendment. The case’s dismissal follows similar outcomes in other lawsuits against Fox News, including ones brought by former government official Nina Jankowicz and Hunter Biden’s former business associate, Tony Bobulinski.
It’s another chapter in the ongoing debate over how the media covers polarizing events—and how far freedom of speech extends when it comes to public figures.