Ray Epps, an alleged supporter of former President Trump and a January 6 instigator, is threatening Fox News host Tucker Carlson and demanding that he retract “false and defamatory statements” and issue a “formal on-air apology.”
Epps, who is from Arizona, was caught on a Jan. 5 video inciting the crowd to basically storm the Capitol the next day. He has never spent a day in jail but the January 6 select committee did conduct a dog and pony show, pretending to grill what then-Rep. Adam Kinzinger called “just another misled man” who fell prey to Trump’s incendiary rhetoric. Never mind that he reportedly sent a text message to his nephew telling him he was in front of the crowd and “also orchestrated it.”
Because of those facts, he has been accused all over the place of being a federal agent or working with the feds as a plant that day. Tucker Carlson has addressed the issue multiple times on his show and Epps wants his so-called good name cleared. It is more than likely he will be disappointed over that demand but the leftist New York Times gleefully ran with the story.
“The fanciful notions that Mr. Carlson advances on his show regarding Mr. Epps’s involvement in the January 6th insurrection are demonstrably (and already proven to be) false,” Epps’s attorney, Michael Teter, stated in a cease-and-desist letter that was sent to Fox News on Thursday. “And yet, Mr. Carlson persists with his assault on the truth.”
"Letters seeking retractions and apologies are often sent when lawyers are preparing to file a defamation lawsuit," writes @alanfeuer
— Trip Gabriel (@tripgabriel) March 23, 2023
(Video Credit: Fox News)
Earlier in March, Carlson, who was handed some 44,000 hours of Capitol surveillance footage directly from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), aired unseen clips on his show of the protest on January 6. During that show, he did not mention Epps by name but referred to those inciting violence who were never indicted for it. One of those men was Ray Epps.
“For more than two years we have wondered why some in the crowd that day who seem to be inciting violence were never indicted for it,” Carlson noted. “We assumed these were federal agents of some sort. We still assume that.”
(Video Credit: Fox News)
The letter is seen by the New York Times as a prelude to a defamation case. It was also directed at Fox News and contends that the network “encourages, consents to, ratifies, and amplifies Mr. Carlson’s actions by continuing to allow commentators and guests to spread the knowing lies about Mr. Epps.”
While demanding a retraction and an apology, Epps’s attorney added, “We expect that you will give the same airtime in retracting these falsehoods as you spent amplifying them.”
Teter provided Carlson and the network with a formal notice of potential litigation and noted Fox News’ ongoing legal battle with Dominion Voting Systems.
He said that Epps and his wife have been “subjected to threats, intimidation, and harassment, resulting in significant economic and emotional damages” as a result of Carlson and other Fox News hosts outing him on air.
“Recent revelations from the Dominion Voting lawsuit may help explain why Fox News has allowed the falsehoods about Mr. Epps to continue to spread and be amplified, through its network,” the attorney stated.
“But fear of losing viewers by telling them the truth is not a defense to defamation and false light, nor will it absolve you of liability related to claims for infliction of emotional distress,” he threatened.
Epps and The New York Times were unceremoniously dragged on Twitter. People find it hilarious that he’s threatening to sue Carlson and everyone pretty much still believes he’s a fed:
Discovery should be fun. Ray is playing with fire.
— FugitiveMama (@fugitivemama) March 23, 2023
Aw, fedboy’s crying.
— JWF (@JammieWF) March 23, 2023
The NYT is an embarrassment
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 23, 2023
sure Epps wants to take this to court- discovery will be FASCINATING. Hopefully, Epps will take the stand! Love to hear the cross!
— Whistlin’Dixiee (@whistlingdixiee) March 23, 2023
Seems he doesn’t like video of him calling for people to storm the capitol?
— Dan Nelson (@IlliniDan2) March 23, 2023
How about Epps provide a formal, on-air apology for stoking insurrection first?
— Plim out West (@plimothoutwest) March 23, 2023
That’s some funny crap coming from a government provocateur.
— Bob Erasmus D4L (@BobErasmus1) March 23, 2023
Expect @TuckerCarlson to have a nightly segment on Ray Epps as he baits him into filing a defamation lawsuit that will give defense counsel carte blanche to engage in extensive discovery. The FBI will pucker.
— Sorry Con Excuse Me (@sorryconexcuse) March 23, 2023
The January 6th committee is the one who needs to retract false statements about Ray Epps, Tucker caught them lying about his testimony red handed!
Btw, all they have are words! Tucker has video and audio.
— Chris Jenkins (@ChrisJe40906141) March 23, 2023
In other words, Ray Epps is guilty. Of course. Tucker got it right. And it’s hilarious that he attempts to take on Tucker Carlson. Tucker will eat him for lunch. Easily.
— Carl Copsey (@CopseyCarl) March 23, 2023
If you’re going to sue over being called a provocateur, best not to be caught on video several times provoking things.
— C Johnson⏳ Free J Assange (@CJlegalBeagle) March 23, 2023
There is really only two choices. He was working for the Feds or he should be in prison. The fact that he isn’t tells you all you need to know. If the Feds wann clear this up, then arrest him. NO ONE individual played a larger role in people entering the Capitol than Ray Epps.
— Kenny Mac (@KennyMac1984) March 23, 2023
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