Overview

• Newly unredacted court filings made public this week reveal private 2020 texts from Fox hosts and executives that Smartmatic argues undercut on-air election fraud claims.
• Jeanine Pirro told RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel she worked hard for the president and the party, called Sean Hannity an “egomaniac,” and was warned by her producer to avoid unproven fraud allegations before Fox pulled her Nov. 7 show.
• Jesse Watters texted Greg Gutfeld that Fox ratings would soar if the network went “ALL in on STOP THE STEAL,” and he discussed internal guidance about not saying fraud as the audience rebelled over the Arizona call.
• Bret Baier urged leadership to “fact-check this crap” regarding false claims, and Fox’s research group told producers Smartmatic’s 2020 role was limited to Los Angeles County and not used in Dominion machines.
• Fox denies defamation, citing Smartmatic’s preexisting reputational issues and recent bribery indictments, and both sides have asked the New York court to rule on summary judgment with no trial date set.