Some reports from late April surrounding the firing of Tucker Carlson by Fox News purported that one of the reasons he exited was due to his reporting on January 6th. KFI-AM 640 morning man Bill Handel believes both Carlson and the network might be guilty of defamation surrounding the role Ray Epps played in the insurrection.
During his show Tuesday, Handel noted that Epps is in a similar position that Dominion Voting Systems found itself earlier this year.
“(Epps) is suing Tucker Carlson and Fox News. Now, that’s not that easy. But again, when you talk about these kinds of losses, I think that news outlets who are hugely protected and defamation suits…I think they’ve crossed the line,” Handel said after noting that Epps had to close his business and move away from his home due to death threats received from Trump supporters and Carlson’s viewers.
Handel then detailed Carlson’s encapsulation of Epps’ role in the January 6th Insurrection, claiming that while Epps was there, he did not enter the Capitol. Handel also noted that Epps has been accused of being a provocateur by Carlson, but is seen on video telling people to ask peacefully and legally. He argued, though, that Carlson never includes that detail.
“He continues to push this notion that the attack was staged by anti-Trump elements inside the government,” said Handel. “Matter of fact, on a podcast last week, Carson said the riot was not an insurrection. The crowd that day was filled with federal agents. I mean, still saying that.
“The difficulty with a lawsuit is that when you’re going, particularly against a public figure or a news outlet, you have to show knowledge of an utter lie that goes ahead and is broadcast or such reckless disregard for the truth. You don’t know it’s a lie, but you know a certain truth and you just ignore it, and go forward? That’s defamation. And I think Epps has a hell of a case.”
Handel concluded by noting that Carlson is now reportedly commanding speaking fees in the same range as former Presidents Clinton and Obama, so listeners should not feel sorry that he lost his primetime show on Fox News.”
