Judge shuts down Fox bid to subpoena George Soros and Smartmatic

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Business

Updated 9:49 PM EDT, Mon October 30, 2023


CNN — A New York judge on Monday shut down an attempt by Fox News to subpoena George Soros, the Jewish billionaire and frequent target of far-right conspiracy theories, and search for additional links between him and Smartmatic, a voting technology company at the center of false election claims during the 2020 election.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice David B. Cohen rejected Fox Corp. and Fox News’ attempts to subpoena George Soros, his son Alex Soros, and their philanthropic organization Open Society Foundation (OSF) for documents related to the election defamation case. Soros, who has donated heavily to progressive causes, has been the frequent target of right-wing attacks, often playing into antisemitic tropes.

Fox argued that Alex and George Soros, as well as OSF, possess material necessary to the network’s defense in the defamation trial. The documentation, Fox argued, would establish a connection between George Soros and Smartmatic. But Fox’s documentation was irrelevant, the judge said, adding that the matter was peripheral.

“I base that on the finding that the crux of Smartmatic’s claims is that Fox has asserted they were part of rigging [the election], not that Smartmatic was affiliated with George Soros, Alex Soros, or the OSF,” Cohen said. “That’s a peripheral matter — at best, it’s a possible rationale for defamation.”

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/30/media/fox-smartmatic-george-soros/index.html

[ificandream]

1. Would love to see Soros sue Fox for defamation. LOL.

It's about time these conspiracy theorists against him get shut down.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. After Smartmatic takes care of them

might not be much left for Soros to get.

[onetexan]

9. i hope Smartmatic w put Faux out of business

[Novara]

3. He should.

Going after him is purely sensationalism and has nothing to do with the actual case.

[MissMillie]

5. +1... but then again

Bringing Smartmatic into the "stolen election" narrative was purely sensation, given that their products were not used in any location where the count was in doubt.

[Novara]

10. They should also sue for defamation

Hey, here's an idea. Maybe CONSEQUENCES would make these assholes think twice before doing this shit.

[dlk]

4. Fox's attacks on Soros are grounded in antisemitism

As we have seen since the Hamas atrocities earlier this month, antisemitism runs deeply throughout America. We have far to go.

[mn9driver]

6. As always, Fox is lying to its viewership.

They know they are going to settle this without going to trial, and they knew the judge was likely to deny their request for Soros’ testimony.

Now they will portray themselves as victims of the giant, liberal, Jewish conspiracy. They would have claimed that no matter how the judge ruled. It’s all about lying to their base.

[oldsoftie]

7. And I think Smartmatic was only used in TWO counties in the whole country.

Idiots.

[4lbs]

8. The Judge "cancelled" the Faux fishing expo.

Nice.

I'm sure Faux will have the Dominion settlement thrown in their faces as precedent, pretty soon.

[SWBTATTReg]

11. Exactly! You nailed it, this is a fishing expedition, w/ clearly no idea that there is evidence here or not.

Evidence doesn't work this way, you have the evidence in hand at first, and then use that actual evidence to point to other evidence.

[Martin68]

12. It's always good when the courts refuse to accept suits based on delusional conspiracy theories.

[SouthernDem4ever]

13. Did Fux hire Drump's lawyers?

The strategy sounds similar.