Far-right activist Laura Loomer has raged after losing a defamation case against Bill Maher and HBO, brought after the host suggested Loomer “might be” in a sexual relationship with President Donald Trump.
U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. ruled that any “reasonable” viewer would have understood that the comments Maher made on Real Time with Bill Maher on September 13, 2024, which triggered Loomer’s lawsuit, were not a statement of fact.
Writing on X, Loomer, who describes herself as an independent investigative journalist and had argued the comments lowered her standing in Trump’s circle and lost her a job opportunity, called the ruling “totally dishonest and misogynistic.”
Newsweek reached out to Loomer and representatives for Maher by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
Why It Matters
Loomer, known in part for her anti-Muslim rhetoric and for promoting conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and the 9/11 terror attacks, has became increasingly influential in right-wing circles since President Donald Trump returned to office. She has been linked to White House decisions, including the firing of key aides, but her inflammatory views make her a divisive figure.
The ruling takes a decisive stance on the boundaries between free speech and comedy and making comments that could be deemed offensive.
What Did Maher Say?
“She’s 31. Looks like his type,” Maher said of Loomer during the September 2024 show. “We did an editorial here a few years ago…it was basically ‘Who’s Trump F***ing’ because I said, it’s not nobody. He’s been a dog for too long and it’s not Melania. I think we may have had our answer this week. I think it might be Laura Loomer.”
What Did the Judgement Say?
Moody found that Loomer failed to find “actual malice” which is needed to prove defamation, or harm to her reputation or finances.
He said Loomer “believed she had a close relationship with” Trump and travelled “on his private jet five to six times” in the week leading up to Maher’s comments. He said this “led to extensive chattering about the nature of their relationship” in the media and on social media.
He said Maher “repeatedly testified that, in his mind, he was making a joke.”
He also said that “Loomer testified that her income increased in 2024 compared to prior years and that she continues to speak to and meet with President Trump.”
“The Court concludes that the Episode was not a statement of fact,” the judge wrote. “The delivery of the Episode, by a well-known comedian, in the context of a late-night comedy television series centered around jokes, signaled to viewers that this was not a factual statement about Loomer or concerning Loomer.”
What Did Loomer Say About The Ruling?
Writing on X, Loomer said the ruling was “both factually and legally wrong.”
She added Maher’s commers were “no joke.”
“Even if it was, it was legally actionable and has led to continued defamation, threats and misogynistic and unwanted sexual comments to be made towards me. It is also very disrespectful and defamatory of President Trump and [Melania Trump], both of whom I respect greatly,” she continued.
“It is beyond the pale for any judge to say that a woman can be accused of having sex with a man and have it be brushed off as ‘a joke’ just because she proclaimed a platonic love for their politics and leadership style. The ruling is totally dishonest and misogynistic.”
She claimed Maher was a supporter of former Democtatic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and was “rabidly anti-Trump.”
“He was trying to further the election of Kamala Harris and smear my reputation when I have always been highly professional in my support of President Trump,” she said.
What Happens Next
Loomer said the “judgment should be reversed on appeal” and indicated it would be taken to “the Eleventh Circuit and at the Supreme Court if necessary.”
Related Articles
