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☆ Dominion’s Weak Case Against Fox
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( William P. Barr | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Blinded by resentment at Fox’s success as an alternative media voice, many media organizations offered a distorted narrative—largely parroting Dominion’s spin—that the disclosures doom Fox’s legal defense. Commentators from the New York Times , Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC and other outlets, gleeful at the prospect of a Fox setback, cheer on as the defamation case heads toward a trial date. But the real significance of the disclosures is exactly the opposite of what these media outlets claim. Two things are clear: First, if the applicable law is faithfully applied, the facts completely upend Dominion’s defamation claim against Fox. The case should be decided in Fox’s favor, if not at the trial stage, then on appeal.

“And yet, Mr. Carlson persists with his assault on the truth.”The letter from Teter demanded a formal retraction and on-air apology “for the lies” that have been spread about Epps on the channel. On many occasions, Carlson has specifically mentioned Epps on his show, and has played footage from January 6 of Epps at the Capitol. Each time Mr. Carlson and Fox News spreads more misinformation about Mr. Epps, the harm redoubles.”Spokespeople for Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has publicly pushed for professional accountability against lawyers who have spread election lies. The lawsuit from Dominion has unearthed damning messages from Fox News executives and hosts that have shown the network peddled election lies to its audience that it knew were false.

☆ Fox, Dominion urge judge to rule in $1.6 billion defamation suit ahead of April trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

However, Fox and Dominion didn't close up their arguments on Tuesday and will meet in court Wednesday morning. (Trump's false claims of election fraud are at the center of multiple criminal probes.) Chairman Rupert Murdoch said some anchors parroted false fraud claims in the months following the election. Fox has consistently denied the claims it knowingly made false claims, and has argued it is protected by the First Amendment. These cases are often settled out of court or quickly dismissed by a court judge, but neither said has had such discussions, CNBC previously reported.

☆ Tucker Carlson says he heard from Donald Trump over texts that revealed the Fox News host hated him 'passionately'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tucker Carlson said a "wounded" Donald Trump called him after his "hate" texts were made public. "I hate him passionately," the Fox News host texted of Trump, according to recent court filings. Carlson added, "And I said this to Trump when he called me, you know, all wounded about those texts. On the day of the deadly US Capitol riot, Carlson called Trump a "demonic force" in a text message to his producer, according to court documents. "At the time, I was just blaming the Trump campaign, and I was livid."

☆ Texts from the Dominion lawsuit reveal the real Fox News
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Rebecca Zisser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Among the messages is a thread where Tucker Carlson privately bashes Trump. Dominion captured a number of texts that show Fox employees' apprehension about the growing conspiracy claims about the company's voting machines in the wake of the election. Top Fox News hosts, including Tucker Carlson, privately insulted Chris Wallace and hatched a plot for a rebellion — November, 16, 2020. In a group chat between the three biggest hosts, Carlson, Hannity, and Ingraham, few colleagues, including then-"Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace, were spared. In a group chat between the three biggest hosts, Carlson, Hannity, and Ingraham, few colleagues such as then-"Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace were spared.

WILMINGTON, Delaware, March 22 (Reuters) - Lawyers for Fox Corp (FOXA.O) and Dominion Voting Systems clashed in court on Wednesday over whether top Fox executives including Chairman Rupert Murdoch should be considered liable in the voting-technology company's $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit over 2020 U.S. election vote-rigging claims aired by Fox News. Dominion has argued that liability for the claims extends to the highest echelons of Fox. A Fox lawyer disputed the claim on Wednesday, arguing that executives including Murdoch were not directly involved in the allegedly defamatory television appearances by Trump lawyers, who falsely claimed Dominion stole the election. Dominion lawyer Justin Nelson argued that evidence amassed during the discovery phase of the case, including emails, shows that top Fox executives did not believe the claims but aired them anyway in pursuit of ratings. Dominion maintains that Fox knowingly spread false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth, thereby meeting the "actual malice" standard necessary to win a defamation case.

☆ Fox News producer files explosive lawsuits against the network, alleging she was coerced into providing misleading Dominion testimony
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —A Fox News producer on Monday filed a pair of explosive lawsuits against the right-wing talk channel, alleging that the network’s lawyers coerced her into providing misleading testimony in Dominion Voting Systems’ $1.6 billion defamation case against the company. The lawsuits from Grossberg, who has since been placed on administrative leave by Fox, were filed in Delaware Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. “It’s another example of Fox News not only shying away from the truth, but attempting to bury the truth,” Filippatos told CNN. Grossberg named Carlson and members of his staff in the lawsuit filed in New York. “I’ve covered many stories while I have been there,” Grossberg told CNN.

Murphy sought to provide context for the defamatory statements alleged by Dominion and argued that reasonable viewers understood that the claims aired on Fox News were mere allegations. The Fox News statements cited by Dominion included a Twitter post by former Fox Business host Lou Dobbs that included pro-Trump hashtags. Lawyer Justin Nelson answered no, saying Dominion's allegation is that Fox knew Trump's lawyers were going to make false claims but hosted them on its shows anyway. Abby Grossberg, who was head of booking for Fox News host Tucker Carlson, said coaching and intimidation by Fox lawyers before her deposition left her "feeling pressured not to name names or to implicate others, in particular prominent male on-air personalities and Fox News executives." Fox said in a statement on Tuesday that Grossberg's "allegations in connection with the Dominion case are baseless and we will vigorously defend Fox against all of her claims."

☆ Fox News producer was forced to spy on Maria Bartiromo, who execs called 'crazy,' menopausal,' and 'hysterical,' new lawsuit says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Grossberg says she was made to spy on host Maria Bartiromo, who execs called "crazy" and "menopausal." Grossberg said Fox executives called Bartiromo names behind the scenes. One producer, the suit says, called Bartiromo "crazy," "menopausal," and said she often became "hysterical," while another described her as a "diva." Jerry Andrews, vice president of weekend news at Fox News Media, is also said to have also requested Grossberg spy on the host. "In February 2022, Mr. Andrews reiterated his directive to Ms. Grossberg to 'keep an eye' on Ms. Bartiromo and report back anything 'crazy' that she said."

☆ Fox News producer alleges Tucker Carlson's team plastered photos around the office of Nancy Pelosi in a bathing suit 'revealing her cleavage'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Fox News producer alleges Tucker Carlson's team posted photos of Nancy Pelosi in a bathing suit around the office. The lawsuit alleges the photos revealed Pelosi's cleavage, with the "joke" being that she looked bad. Apparently, the 'joke' was that Speaker Pelosi looked terrible in a bathing suit," the lawsuit alleges. A producer for a different Fox News show, the lawsuit alleges, called Bartiromo "not as credible as male anchors" at the network. The spokesperson did not comment on the allegations regarding sexism in the workplace or the alleged images of Nancy Pelosi.

☆ Fox bosses ‘shut down’ fact checking with 2020 conspiracies, Dominion lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Dominion is suing Fox News over the right-wing channel’s airing of false claims of election fraud around the 2020 presidential election. Fox News argued that Dominion should instead rely on the “lengthy depositions” that these witnesses already gave. It claims Dominion hasn’t shown anything strong enough to overcome the high bar that the First Amendment provides, protecting good-faith journalists from speech-chilling defamation lawsuits. Dominion lawyer Rodney Smolla said its high-stakes defamation case against Fox News will protect the public discourse and hold accountable people who deliberately lied about the 2020 election. “They endorsed,” Murdoch said, referring to Fox hosts Sean Hannity, Jeanine Pirro, Maria Bartiromo, and former host Lou Dobbs.

☆ Fox News sued a Tucker Carlson producer named in the Dominion lawsuit for threatening to expose its legal secrets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Jack Newsham | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Fox News says Abby Grossberg threatened to file a discrimination lawsuit that will reveal secrets. Dominion included Grossberg's texts and testimony in its defamation lawsuit against Fox. The network sued Abby Grossberg on Monday, claiming that she has threatened to sue Fox News for discrimination and retaliation. Fox News's suit against Grossberg didn't mention Dominion, referring only to an "unrelated lawsuit," but details in its complaint and in the record of the Dominion lawsuit make the connection clear. Dominion sued Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, in March 2021, alleging it defamed the election technology company when its hosts allowed Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, two pro-Trump lawyers, to come on air.

☆ Media mogul Rupert Murdoch engaged to Ann Lesley Smith
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Helen Coster | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tennis - US Open - Mens Final - New York, U.S. - September 10, 2017 - Rupert Murdoch, Chairman of Fox News Channel stands before Rafael Nadal of Spain plays against Kevin Anderson of South Africa. REUTERS/Mike Segar/March 20 (Reuters) - Fox Corp (FOXA.O) Chairman Rupert Murdoch is engaged to former San Francisco police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith, his spokesperson confirmed on Monday, which will mark the fifth marriage for the 92-year-old media mogul. Murdoch and Smith, 66, first met in September at his vineyard Moraga in Bel Air, California, and he called her two weeks later, Murdoch told the News Corp-owned NY Post, which broke the news of the engagement. Smith is a widow whose late husband was Chester Smith, a country singer, radio and TV executive. On March 17 in New York, Murdoch presented Smith with an Asscher-cut diamond solitaire ring, according to the Post.

☆ Fox News is unlikely to face pushback from professional journalism groups after court documents revealed it lied to viewers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The White House Correspondents' Association doesn't police member conduct, a former board member said. A number of professional organizations told Insider that Fox News fell well short of the standards expected in the profession. "Journalism receives significant protections from the First Amendment and with those protections come profound responsibilities," McCarran told Insider. Evidence made public in Dominion's lawsuit shows how Fox employees — beyond just hosts of opinion shows — had priorities other than telling their viewers the truth. "There are left-wing publications, right-wing publications, there are government-owned publications — there's Voice of America, foreign news organizations," the former board member said. "

☆ Mike Lindell says he had to borrow $10 million last year to keep MyPillow afloat — and that he's running out of cash, too
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell told Insider he had to borrow $10 million in 2022 to keep MyPillow afloat. Lindell said that to stay liquid, he also sold a building for $2 million, and borrowed $2 million. Lindell says he's burning through $1 million dollars every month on causes related to voter fraud. "I sold a building I had in Savage, in Minnesota, in October," Lindell told Insider. Lindell told Insider some creature comforts — like his private jet, which had a door come off it in October — haven't been sold yet.

☆ Tucker Carlson isn't making an effort to patch things up with Trump, mocking him for failing to build the Mexico border wall
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"I mean, he couldn't build a border wall in four years," Carlson said of the former president. Carlson went on to praise Trump's foreign policy while also delivering an unsubstantiated claim that Trump has autism. Carlson was commenting on Trump's claim at CPAC that he could solve the Ukraine war within a day. In those texts, Carlson gloated about not having to cover Trump after the election. For his part, Trump claimed triumphantly on Truth Social on Sunday that he thinks Carlson "doesn't hate" him anymore.

☆ Donald Trump says Fox News host Tucker Carlson 'doesn't hate me, or at least, not anymore!' in reaction to show about Capitol riot
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Trump said triumphantly that Fox News host Tucker Carlson "doesn't hate me" anymore on Sunday night. All appears to be forgiven after Carlson broadcasted a misleading edit of Capitol riot footage. This followed revelations this month of a message between the Fox News host and a confidant from 2021, when Carlson said he hated Trump. Dominion says that many of the unearthed messages between Fox News producers and on-air stars like Carlson revealed how little they believed what they were saying. Trump's Sunday night claim that Carlson doesn't hate him after all came in reaction to Carlson's portrayal of 41,000 hours of security footage from the Capitol riot, granted to him exclusively by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

☆ What Fox News Insiders Said Privately About Election-Fraud Claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Rupert Murdoch | Isabella Simonetti | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Dominion Voting Systems is suing Fox News for defamation, alleging the network aired false claims that its technology helped rig the 2020 election. Internal Fox News communications released in the legal proceedings show that the network was concerned about alienating its audience and gave airtime to election-fraud claims. Dominion is citing that evidence to argue that Fox knowingly spread falsehoods. Fox says it simply reported newsworthy allegations, and that Dominion has taken internal communications out of context. A trial is scheduled to begin April 17.

☆ Rupert Murdoch appears to confirm that Kimberly Guilfoyle left Fox News due to 'inappropriate' behavior, after reports claimed she faced a sexual harassment accusation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An email from Rupert Murdoch said Kimberly Guilfoyle was fired from Fox due to "inappropriate behavior." In 2020 reports emerged suggesting she had faced a sexual harassment accusation from a female assistant. The reports said that Fox had been in the midst of a year-long investigation into the allegation when she left. Kimberly Guilfoyle during the final round of the Bedminster Invitational LIV Golf tournament in Bedminster, N.J., Sunday, July 31, 2022. Representatives for Fox News and Kimberly Guilfoyle were not immediately reachable for requests for comment from Insider.

The voting technology company made the eye-popping damages claim as part of its 2021 lawsuit, which alleges Fox destroyed its reputation by airing falsehoods. A Dominion spokesperson said in a statement that the evidence will show Dominion was a "valuable, rapidly growing business" when Fox began "endorsing baseless lies" about its machines. "Following Fox’s defamatory statements, Dominion’s business suffered enormously, and its claim for compensatory damages is based on industry-standard valuation metrics and conservative methodologies," the statement read. Four different pre-election valuations of Dominion in 2020 averaged $226 million, Fox said, citing exhibits that have not been made public. If the jury concluded that Fox defamed Dominion but decided Dominion's business losses were minimal, it could still hit the company with significant punitive damages.

☆ Fox Considered Acquiring Rights to ‘The Apprentice’ After 2020 Election, Court Documents Show
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Joe Flint | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Donald Trump appeared with his daughter Ivanka Trump in the Season 6 finale of NBC’s ‘The Apprentice.’Soon after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Fox Corp. explored acquiring rights to “The Apprentice,” the competition show that Donald Trump hosted on NBC before he became president, according to court filings from Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation suit against Fox News and Fox Corp.Rupert Murdoch , Fox’s chair, and his son Lachlan Murdoch , the company’s executive chair and chief executive, discussed acquiring the show in November 2020, according to court documents released this week.

☆ Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch dismisses $1.6 billion defamation case revelations as ‘noise’
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch on Thursday dismissed the revelations from Dominion Voting Systems’ $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News as “noise,” throwing his support behind the right-wing talk channel in his first comments since the case enveloped the company in major scandal. Among the thousands of pages of documents released in the case include repeated statements from Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch rejecting conspiracy theories about Dominion. However, Dominion said its position is that “confidential treatment of these materials is not warranted” based on case law standards. Filings in the case reviewed by CNN have included numerous redactions passages, including when Fox executives and personalities are quoted. The significant redactions have raised eyebrows about what Fox News is trying to prevent from being made public.

☆ ‘People are shocked and disgusted’: Fox News staffers say they are in the dark amid election lies scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But this is unprecedented.”That was echoed to me over the last 48 hours by several other employees at Fox News. “I haven’t seen anything [communicated],” another Fox News staffer told me. And in lieu of the network’s management providing status updates to its employees about the looming trial in Dominion’s lawsuit, staffers are intensely curious about where things stand. In fact, some Fox News staffers have even reached out to me, looking for information on the case and asking for insight into their own network. It is a point that I have been making for some time — and it’s one that a second senior Fox staffer encouraged me to continue driving home.

☆ A video from 2006 shows a young Tucker Carlson warning that 'crazy conspiracy theories' can spread without a 'universally recognized standard' for the news
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An old video of Tucker Carlson from 2006 was posted to Twitter on Wednesday. The video shows Carlson warning about the dangers of conspiracy theories. "And in that environment, all sorts of crazy conspiracy theories bloom and take the place of facts." At the time of the 2006 panel discussion, Carlson was still a host on the MSNBC program "The Situation with Tucker Carlson." The sentiment expressed in the texts stands in stark contrast to Carlson's subsequent promoting of Trump's baseless voter-fraud conspiracy theories.

Newly released court documents from a defamation case against Fox News over its 2020 election coverage show a deep fissure in the network between high-profile prime-time opinion hosts and other personnel who were deeply skeptical of election fraud claims. The documents, made public in litigation between voting-machine company Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News, depict an organization scrambling over how to cover Donald Trump’s failed bid for re-election, as well as claims by the then-president and his supporters that the election was stolen.

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