Laura Loomer, a far-right critic and ally of Donald Trump, has lost a defamation case she filed against HBO and Bill Maher over a remark concerning her and the president.
A federal judge ruled that the Real Time host's joke constituted protected speech and not defamation, thus throwing out Loomer's case.
Loomer had alleged that Maher's joke lowered her standing within Trump's orbit and even cost her a job opportunity.
US District Judge James Moody Jr. ruled that any 'reasonable' viewer 'would have understood' that Maher was making a joke, and not a statement of fact.
After the judgement, Maher's old remark resurfaced online, where he joked that Laura Loomer might be Donald Trump's romantic partner.
The comment was made on September 13, 2024, and Maher claimed Loomer was in an 'arranged relationship' to 'affect the election.'
Loomer issued a statement on X, calling the ruling 'factually and legally wrong' and accusing Maher and HBO of defaming her.
She claimed that the judge's premise was 'outrageous' and that the comment was not a joke, but rather a defamatory statement that has led to continued defamation, threats, and misogynistic comments.
