Hunter Biden has withdrawn his lawsuit against Fox News, which he had filed over the network’s miniseries that included intimate images of him. The lawsuit, initiated on June 30, 2024, alleged that the Fox Nation miniseries, “The Trial of Hunter Biden,” unlawfully used sexually explicit images of him and caused emotional distress, violating New York’s “revenge porn” law.
The withdrawal of the lawsuit occurred on the same day that President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection in 2024. The reason for the timing of the lawsuit’s dismissal has not been clarified by Biden’s legal team, and no immediate response was received from Hunter Biden’s representatives.
Fox News had removed the miniseries from its streaming platform in April after receiving a legal warning from Biden’s lawyers. The network defended the series as a dramatization based on publicly available information and newsworthy events related to Hunter Biden’s legal issues. Fox News described the lawsuit as meritless and politically motivated.
Hunter Biden, who faces ongoing legal challenges including a federal tax evasion trial and recent convictions on gun-related charges, has not been charged in connection with the allegations portrayed in the miniseries. His legal troubles have been a subject of public and media scrutiny.
The miniseries, released in 2022, presented a fictionalized courtroom drama about Hunter Biden’s legal troubles and foreign dealings. It included elements purportedly derived from documents found on a laptop that Biden claimed was either hacked or stolen.
Hunter Biden’s Perspective:
Legal and Personal Claims:
Hunter Biden accused Fox News of unlawfully using intimate images of him in their miniseries, which he argued caused him emotional distress and violated New York’s “revenge porn” law. His legal team filed the lawsuit and then withdrew it without providing a specific reason. This perspective emphasizes his legal claims and personal grievances
Fox News’ Perspective:
Defense and First Amendment Claims:
Fox News has defended the miniseries as accurate and in line with the First Amendment, arguing that the lawsuit was politically motivated and without merit. They assert that the content was newsworthy and related to Hunter Biden’s public controversies
Political Context:
Timing of Events:
The timing of Hunter Biden’s withdrawal of the lawsuit coincides with President Joe Biden’s announcement of his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. The articles mention this timing but do not confirm a direct link between the two events, leaving room for speculation about potential political implications.
Cable News Network:
Hunter Biden drops lawsuit against Fox News over ‘mock trial’ miniseries
Washington Post:
Hunter Biden drops lawsuit over Fox News ‘mock trial’ miniseries