US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has filed a lawsuit against Fox News, accusing it of illegally publishing defamatory footage of him as part of a streaming series, reports Associated Press.
The president's son filed the lawsuit Sunday in state court in Manhattan over footage from "The Trial of Hunter Biden," which debuted on Fox's streaming service. in 2022
The series presents a "fictional trial" against Hunter Biden on charges not brought against him, and includes footage of Biden in the nude and engaging in sexual acts, the suit states. According to him, showing such footage of an intimate nature without his consent violated the so-called New York law against the distribution of pornographic materials for the purpose of revenge.
"Fox News" "showed these intimate images to its vast audience of millions as part of an entertainment program to humiliate, distress, annoy and alarm Mr. Biden and tarnish his reputation," the suit says.
For its part, a spokesperson for the television defines the case filed as "entirely politically motivated" and "without foundation". The statement noted that Biden's lawyers had sent them a letter requesting that the series be removed from streaming platforms in April 2024, and that "Fox" has honored their request and stopped the broadcast of the series just a few days after receiving the letter. The broadcaster believes it has fully complied with the law and "looks forward to defending its rights in court".
Last month, Hunter Biden was convicted of three felony charges related to the 2018 purchase of a revolver, when prosecutors say the president's son lied on a mandatory gun purchase form, saying he was not illegally using and not addicted to drugs.
The fictional trial in the series, however, involved allegations of bribery and improper financial dealings with foreign governments — charges that were not brought against Hunter Biden, the suit states. According to him, "Fox News" must pay damages and a fine, and be ordered to remove all copies of the intimate footage.
According to the suit, the television station has not completely removed its promotional materials for the series and it is still available on third-party streaming platforms.