Hunter Biden filed a lawsuit against Fox News and its parent company Monday, alleging the network’s fictional miniseries, “The Trial of Hunter Biden,” defamed him and exploited his likeness.
The lawsuit centers around the 2022 miniseries, which Fox described as a “mock trial” showcasing how a hypothetical trial involving Hunter Biden might play out.
However, the lawsuit claims the program went far beyond legal proceedings, portraying Mr. Biden in a negative light and even including sexually explicit imagery.
Read: Hunter Biden Moves For New Trial After Felony Conviction
Biden’s attorneys argue that the series amounted to “politically motivated attacks” designed to “harass, annoy, and humiliate” him while damaging his reputation. The lawsuit alleges violations of New York’s “revenge porn” laws, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and unjust enrichment.
Fox News has maintained that the program was a fictionalized portrayal protected by free speech. A spokesperson called the lawsuit “devoid of merit” and “politically motivated.”
“This entirely politically motivated lawsuit is devoid of merit. The core complaint stems from a 2022 streaming program that Mr. Biden did not complain about until sending a letter in late April 2024. The program was removed within days of the letter, in an abundance of caution, but Hunter Biden is a public figure who has been the subject of multiple investigations and is now a convicted felon. Consistent with the First Amendment, FOX News has accurately covered the newsworthy events of Mr. Biden’s own making, and we look forward to vindicating our rights in court,” said a FOX News spokesperson.
The case raises questions about the line between fictional storytelling and defamation, particularly when depicting real people. It also touches on the boundaries of acceptable content, especially concerning the use of private images.
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