Ray Epps, an Arizona man, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News. He participated in the January 6 “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C. Epps alleges that Fox knowingly spread false claims that he was an undercover FBI agent who instigated the attack on the Capitol.
The lawsuit, filed on July 12, 2023, names Fox News, Tucker Carlson, and Sean Hannity as defendants. Epps accuses Fox News of repeatedly broadcasting the false claim that he was an FBI agent. He also claims that the network aimed to spread lies about the January 6 attack and exonerate former President Donald Trump.
Epps is seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and damage to his reputation. He also seeks an injunction to prevent Fox News from continuing to broadcast false claims about him. Fox News has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
This lawsuit is part of a series of legal actions against Fox News related to its coverage of the January 6 attack. In March 2023, a group of January 6 survivors filed a defamation lawsuit against the network, accusing it of falsely claiming they were part of a “false flag” operation.
Fox News has faced criticism for its coverage of the attack, promoting conspiracy theories and being a vocal critic of the January 6 investigation. The lawsuit against Fox News marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the attack.
This lawsuit is the first instance of a person directly involved in the January 6 attack suing Fox News for defamation. It could have a significant impact on the network’s future coverage and potentially lead to further legal action against Fox News.
