Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro Accused of Helping President Trump and Republican Party

Strategic Insights -

Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News weekend host and current U.S. Attorney for D.C., has been accused of using her position to help President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Newly unredacted court documents from Smartmatic, a voting machine company suing Fox News for $2.7 billion, reveal texts from Pirro that suggest she was actively working to support the party's interests.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pirro allegedly told then-Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel in September 2020, "I work so hard for the party across the country." "I'm the Number 1 watched show on all news cable all weekend. I work so hard for the President and party," according to the outlet.
  • Pirro also reportedly told lawyer Sidney Powell, who later pleaded guilty in a scheme to overturn Trump's 2020 election loss in Georgia, to "Keep fighting" in a November 2020 text message shortly after Election Day.
  • Smartmatic argues that Pirro agreed the 2020 election was "fair and free" in a deposition, citing her statement, "I believe that there's been no showing that Smartmatic engaged in any problems,"
  • Pirro's comments and actions allegedly support Smartmatic's allegations that Fox News aired false claims that the company rigged former President Joe Biden's victory over Trump.
  • Fox News has denied Smartmatic's allegations, arguing it was partaking in journalism, rather than defamation.
  • Fox News has already agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million in a defamation lawsuit over its post-2020 election coverage.
  • Newsmax agreed to pay Smartmatic $40 million in a similar defamation suit.

Statistics:

  • $2.7 billion: The amount Fox News is being sued by Smartmatic for allegedly airing false claims that the company rigged the presidential election.
  • $787.5 million: The amount Fox News paid Dominion Voting Systems in a defamation lawsuit over its post-2020 election coverage.
  • $40 million: The amount Newsmax agreed to pay Smartmatic in a similar defamation suit.
  • 2020: The year in which Pirro allegedly sent supportive texts to Ronna McDaniel and Sidney Powell.
  • September 2020: The month in which Pirro allegedly told Ronna McDaniel, "I work so hard for the party across the country."
  • November 2020: The month in which Pirro allegedly told Sidney Powell, "Keep fighting" in a text message shortly after Election Day.

Sources:

  • "Smartmatic's complaint alleges Fox News defendants aired false claims" by The Washington Post.
  • Court documents from Smartmatic's lawsuit against Fox News.
  • "Fox News to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million in defamation lawsuit" by The New York Times.
  • "Newsmax agrees to pay Smartmatic $40 million in defamation suit" by CNN.