More about the Dominion Voting Systems defamation case against Fox today, Wednesday. I know I’ve been writing about this case a lot, but it’s important. Tonight on his MSNBC show, Lawrence O’Donnell suggested that the evidence being released in the Dominion case is so damaging to Fox and some of its hosts that it’s the reason for the Kevin McCarthy/Tucker Carlson saga, the released January 6 footage, and Carlson’s effort to craft an alternative January 6 narrative. O’Donnell’s theory was that Carlson, who knew the schedule in the Dominion case and when he could expect to see his texts about Trump, including “I hate him passionately,” emerge, lined up the footage as a distraction. That seems like a very probable theory.
"The question is, how might Fox viewers react when they learn hosts who didn’t believe the Big Lie sold it to them, and that they did so to keep their own careers from faltering?" I doubt they will care, because until now they have managed to ignore every bit of truth and factual correction that casts doubt on Fox, Trump, and nonsense conspiracy theories. This crowd has also re-elected Margie 3-Names and Boebert, just two of the ignoramuses to whom McCarthy sold his soul. He so desperately wanted to go down in history as Speaker of the House, but, in truth, he will be remembered as a whore who was none too bright.
I am so thrilled to be following your thoughtful and detailed accounts of the issues in this case. I hope it goes to trial, even if summary judgment is available—and of course, the trial must be televised live! I would watch every minute! The country deserves to see the fox “personalities “ and executives admit to knowingly lying to its audience.
I hope that the eventual damage award can at least begin to repair the actual injuries to the public confidence caused by Fox’s reprehensible conduct.
I hope Dominion prevails in this lawsuit. I hope they bankrupt Fox Lies! I would like to see fox charged with seditious conspiracy and Murdoch and his family deported for crimes against our country.
I think an appropriate remedy [in addition to actual and punitive damages] would be to require that Fox air a rebuttal and explanation of everything they did, ON FOX, because, let's face it, Fox viewers are not going to be watching ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC or other "rational" networks for the news. Make Fox broadcast a full explanation of their chicanery on their own network. [For good measure, Fox could also be required to purchase "ad time" on OAN, Breitbart and other liars who would not cover this story unless it were a paid ad.]
Someone recently remarked that Dominion doesn't want to settle. They'd rather go to trial and drag all Fox's dirty laundry through the street. Sounds reasonable to me.
Disinformation campaigns in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, on behalf of Trump.
As historian Timothy Snyder has written in "The Road to Unfreedom - Russia, Europe, America," the Ukrainians observed what was happening here and recognized it as what they'd experienced at the hands of Russia.
Professor Vance, thank you for spelling this out for us. I remain convinced that not only is Dominion Voting Systems a victim of Fox News, but we the American people are victims too, and as such we should have a means of filing a class action lawsuit against the company. While they did not slander us per say, they did conspire to deceive us, and as such, should they be allowed a forum such as a major broadcast network? I say nay! I do not believe Rupert Murdoch should be allowed to own it, and that the Fox News Network should not be allowed to exist anymore. Tucker Carlson should lose his job. I wonder whether Trump will ignore the information that Tucker Carlson cannot stand him, or whether he will turn on Tucker like he has turned on DeSantis. What I have noticed of late is that the Republican party is splitting into two factions which are turning on each other. Both have nothing good to offer the American people.
I hope Rupert is forced into bankruptcy. Why we let him and his family in was a gross error. Nothing but misery was created by him. Sounds very familiar too.
Watching the world's dumbest mick - Hannity - and the world's most talentless trustfund baby - Carlson - reading extensive statements about their lies and hypocrisy on their shows, ordred by the court, would be delicious!
As a civil lawyer who has handled defamation cases and similarly-styled summary judgment motions, one thing that I think you have missed is that, even if the judge rules in Dominion's favour, it is only a decision that there is liability on Fox's part. That means that, unless the case is settled, Dominion will still have the opportunity to "prove up" how it was harmed. I guess the question, then, is whether Fox will want to pay up, or have the impact of its defamation aired in public.
I am repeating myself but am still surprised that Tucker and others at Fox (and people not at fox) have not ended up in the hospital with severe burns to their rears from “pants being on fire”
I would like to see Dominion win everything they have asked for; then I would like to see the Judge order Murdoch, his son, everyone on Fox News that spread those lies publicly apologize to Dominion, those they have hurt by those lies, their viewers for misleading them, those families who had relatives die because of those lies, and inform the public it is shutting down Fox News. Too much to ask for, I think not.
Interesting what role Clarence Thomas will ultimately play, particularly since Laura Ingraham was one of his law clerks. Also, another possible influencer of Thomas, trump’s lawyer,John Eastman, was a Thomas clerk. As the rhyme says, “Life. Is but a dream.” Perhaps misplaced, but I still hold some hope for Gorsuch.
Excellent Joyce, as usual, as excellence seems to be always your usual...
One point.
When reading all evidence that has come to surface, you wonder, you really wonder, what completely immature minds these persons at Fox including Mr. Murdoch himself may have shown. Immature about consequences, immature about ethics, immature about morality.
You are reminded of McCarthyism times, of the spontaneous phrase, have you no decency.
"The question is, how might Fox viewers react when they learn hosts who didn’t believe the Big Lie sold it to them, and that they did so to keep their own careers from faltering?" I doubt they will care, because until now they have managed to ignore every bit of truth and factual correction that casts doubt on Fox, Trump, and nonsense conspiracy theories. This crowd has also re-elected Margie 3-Names and Boebert, just two of the ignoramuses to whom McCarthy sold his soul. He so desperately wanted to go down in history as Speaker of the House, but, in truth, he will be remembered as a whore who was none too bright.
I am so thrilled to be following your thoughtful and detailed accounts of the issues in this case. I hope it goes to trial, even if summary judgment is available—and of course, the trial must be televised live! I would watch every minute! The country deserves to see the fox “personalities “ and executives admit to knowingly lying to its audience.
I hope that the eventual damage award can at least begin to repair the actual injuries to the public confidence caused by Fox’s reprehensible conduct.
Lawrence O’Donnell is the BOMB.
He uses such a great emphasis when he says first and last names multiple times (with emphasis).
Donald Trump
Kevin McCarthy
Rupert Murdoch
Tucked Carlson
Not left of 💥, but right on💥. He is like no other. Boom!
I hope Dominion prevails in this lawsuit. I hope they bankrupt Fox Lies! I would like to see fox charged with seditious conspiracy and Murdoch and his family deported for crimes against our country.
I think an appropriate remedy [in addition to actual and punitive damages] would be to require that Fox air a rebuttal and explanation of everything they did, ON FOX, because, let's face it, Fox viewers are not going to be watching ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC or other "rational" networks for the news. Make Fox broadcast a full explanation of their chicanery on their own network. [For good measure, Fox could also be required to purchase "ad time" on OAN, Breitbart and other liars who would not cover this story unless it were a paid ad.]
Someone recently remarked that Dominion doesn't want to settle. They'd rather go to trial and drag all Fox's dirty laundry through the street. Sounds reasonable to me.
Disinformation campaigns in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, on behalf of Trump.
As historian Timothy Snyder has written in "The Road to Unfreedom - Russia, Europe, America," the Ukrainians observed what was happening here and recognized it as what they'd experienced at the hands of Russia.
Professor Vance, thank you for spelling this out for us. I remain convinced that not only is Dominion Voting Systems a victim of Fox News, but we the American people are victims too, and as such we should have a means of filing a class action lawsuit against the company. While they did not slander us per say, they did conspire to deceive us, and as such, should they be allowed a forum such as a major broadcast network? I say nay! I do not believe Rupert Murdoch should be allowed to own it, and that the Fox News Network should not be allowed to exist anymore. Tucker Carlson should lose his job. I wonder whether Trump will ignore the information that Tucker Carlson cannot stand him, or whether he will turn on Tucker like he has turned on DeSantis. What I have noticed of late is that the Republican party is splitting into two factions which are turning on each other. Both have nothing good to offer the American people.
I hope Rupert is forced into bankruptcy. Why we let him and his family in was a gross error. Nothing but misery was created by him. Sounds very familiar too.
Watching the world's dumbest mick - Hannity - and the world's most talentless trustfund baby - Carlson - reading extensive statements about their lies and hypocrisy on their shows, ordred by the court, would be delicious!
Hi Joyce:
As a civil lawyer who has handled defamation cases and similarly-styled summary judgment motions, one thing that I think you have missed is that, even if the judge rules in Dominion's favour, it is only a decision that there is liability on Fox's part. That means that, unless the case is settled, Dominion will still have the opportunity to "prove up" how it was harmed. I guess the question, then, is whether Fox will want to pay up, or have the impact of its defamation aired in public.
I am repeating myself but am still surprised that Tucker and others at Fox (and people not at fox) have not ended up in the hospital with severe burns to their rears from “pants being on fire”
It would be interesting if the court ordered Fox News to change it's name excluding the word News.
I would like to see Dominion win everything they have asked for; then I would like to see the Judge order Murdoch, his son, everyone on Fox News that spread those lies publicly apologize to Dominion, those they have hurt by those lies, their viewers for misleading them, those families who had relatives die because of those lies, and inform the public it is shutting down Fox News. Too much to ask for, I think not.
Interesting what role Clarence Thomas will ultimately play, particularly since Laura Ingraham was one of his law clerks. Also, another possible influencer of Thomas, trump’s lawyer,John Eastman, was a Thomas clerk. As the rhyme says, “Life. Is but a dream.” Perhaps misplaced, but I still hold some hope for Gorsuch.
Excellent Joyce, as usual, as excellence seems to be always your usual...
One point.
When reading all evidence that has come to surface, you wonder, you really wonder, what completely immature minds these persons at Fox including Mr. Murdoch himself may have shown. Immature about consequences, immature about ethics, immature about morality.
You are reminded of McCarthyism times, of the spontaneous phrase, have you no decency.
Amazing.
What a far cry from the dancing in the streets following Joe’s win. *SIGH*