Hunter Biden has filed a lawsuit against Fox News and its parent company over a 2022 miniseries titled “The Trial of Hunter Biden.” The lawsuit, submitted on Sunday in New York state court, accuses the conservative network of unjust enrichment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and illegal publication of intimate images, violating New York’s “revenge porn” law.
The six-part miniseries, which aired on the Fox Nation streaming platform, featured a mock trial presided over by television personality Judge Joe Brown. The fictional trial imagined Hunter Biden being prosecuted for bribery and foreign-agent law violations—charges he has not faced in reality. The series included real-life figures such as John Paul Mac Isaac, the owner of the computer shop where Biden left his laptop, and New York Post reporter Miranda Devine, who wrote a book about the laptop.
Hunter Biden’s lawsuit claims that Fox News intentionally manipulated facts and unlawfully published intimate images taken from his laptop. The lawsuit also alleges that the network’s actions were politically motivated, aiming to harass, annoy, alarm, and humiliate him, thereby tarnishing his reputation.
In response, Fox News issued a statement calling the lawsuit “entirely politically motivated.” The network emphasized that Hunter Biden did not complain about the program until sending a letter in late April 2024. Fox News removed the program within days of receiving the letter, citing an abundance of caution. The network also pointed out that Hunter Biden is a public figure who has been the subject of multiple investigations and is now a convicted felon. Fox News asserted that it has accurately covered newsworthy events related to Hunter Biden, consistent with the First Amendment.
Hunter Biden’s legal team first threatened to sue Fox News in April over the miniseries. Although Fox removed “The Trial of Hunter Biden” from its platform shortly after, the lawsuit claims that promotional videos for the series are still online and that the full show can be viewed on other platforms.
The lawsuit requests a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages, and the disgorgement of any profits from the miniseries. Hunter Biden’s attorneys have framed their suit as analogous to the recent lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems, which concluded with a $787.5 million settlement agreement. They argue that, like in the Dominion case, Fox News knew its conduct was unlawful but proceeded anyway.
To file the lawsuit, Hunter Biden enlisted the law firm Geragos & Geragos, whose principal, Mark Geragos, has represented high-profile clients such as Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, and Winona Ryder. Geragos also has experience representing family members of presidents, having negotiated a plea deal in 2001 for Roger Clinton Jr., the brother of former President Bill Clinton, for driving under the influence.
Hunter Biden was found guilty last month on three counts related to his 2018 purchase of a firearm while allegedly addicted to drugs. He faces a separate trial on tax charges in September. Despite these legal troubles, he has not been charged in connection with the bribery and foreign lobbying allegations that were central to Fox’s mock trial series.
The lawsuit underscores the ongoing tension between Hunter Biden and conservative media outlets. It also highlights the broader political and legal battles surrounding the Biden family. As the case progresses, it will likely draw significant public and media attention, given the high-profile nature of the parties involved and the contentious issues at stake.
Hunter Biden’s legal action against Fox News is part of a broader effort to combat what he and his legal team perceive as politically motivated attacks. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications not only for Hunter Biden but also for how media organizations handle sensitive and potentially defamatory content about public figures.
As the legal proceedings unfold, both sides are preparing for a contentious battle in court. Fox News has expressed confidence in its legal position, citing the First Amendment and its history of covering newsworthy events. Meanwhile, Hunter Biden’s legal team is determined to hold the network accountable for what they describe as unlawful and harmful actions.
The case is expected to be closely watched, with potential ramifications for media practices, privacy rights, and the ongoing political discourse in the United States.
Source: ABC News, CNN
