Hunter Biden Drops Lawsuit Against Fox News

As a seasoned movie buff with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of media law and ethics, I find myself both surprised and dismayed by the recent turn of events surrounding Hunter Biden‘s lawsuit against Fox News. Having closely followed the complex and often contentious relationship between the press and public figures, my perspective is informed by years of observing the nuances of power dynamics in the media landscape.


On the very same day that Joe Biden, his father, declared his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential campaign, Hunter Biden chose to dismiss his lawsuit against Fox News. The reason for this decision was their portrayal of sexually explicit images of Hunter in a fictionalized drama series about him, which he believed breached privacy laws related to revenge porn.

Hunter Biden’s legal team notified the court on July 21st that they are voluntarily dismissing the above-mentioned lawsuit against Fox News Network, LLC, Fox Corporation, and unnamed defendants Doe 1-100. This dismissal can be reversed if they choose to do so at a later time.

A lawyer representing Biden did not respond to a request for additional comment.

The lawsuit initiated by Hunter Biden against Fox News began in New York Supreme Court on June 30, but later got transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

A spokesperson for Fox News referred back to their earlier statement regarding Biden’s lawsuit, which stated: “This lawsuit, filed solely for political reasons, lacks substance. The primary issue arose from a 2022 streaming program that Biden didn’t raise concerns about until April 2024, when he sent a letter. The show was taken down promptly, as a precautionary measure. Hunter Biden is a public figure with a history of investigations and now a convicted felon. In accordance with the First Amendment, Fox News reported factually on newsworthy events initiated by Biden himself. We are confident in our position and will defend it in court.”

Fox News released a six-part mock trial titled “The Trial of Hunter Biden: A Mock Trial for the American People” on their Fox Nation streaming service in October 2022. This program, which featured explicit images of Hunter Biden, was depicted by Fox News as a simulation of how a potential trial against him might unfold. However, in April 2024, following communication from Hunter Biden’s legal team, Fox News took down the series, stating they were “assessing the validity of the concerns recently brought to their attention.”

Hunter Biden’s lawsuit claimed that Fox was aware they were breaking New York state’s “revenge porn” laws by using his private images in “The Trial of Hunter Biden” series. The unauthorized sharing of these intimate images caused Biden significant emotional distress, embarrassment, and mental suffering, as well as permanent damage to his personal and professional standing.

Hunter Biden was found guilty in June for falsely declaring his past drug use to obtain a firearm and illegally carrying a gun. His legal team has announced their intention to file an appeal against this felony conviction. The Fox Nation’s mock trial program investigated whether Hunter Biden breached the Foreign Agents Registration Act and committed bribery. However, it is important to note that Hunter Biden has not been officially accused of these allegations as of now.

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2024-07-22 06:16