According to NBC News, Hunter Biden is planning to file a lawsuit against Fox News for broadcasting bribery accusations against him. The allegations are based on claims made by a discredited Russian agent.
President Joe Biden’s son has frequently appeared on the conservative media platform, where hosts have shared stories about Hunter’s previous struggles with drug addiction and involvement with sex workers. Additionally, the network has broadcasted allegations made by Republican lawmakers and others, suggesting that Hunter’s business ventures in Ukraine, particularly his position on the board of a state oil company, were advantageous for his father.
The arrest of an FBI informant suggests that the allegations of corruption against Hunter Biden may have originated from Russian disinformation. In a charging document, special counsel David Weiss, who is investigating Biden and has accused him of gun and tax crimes, disclosed that the informant, Alexander Smirnov, had confessed that individuals connected to Russian intelligence were responsible for circulating a story about Hunter Biden.
Republican lawmakers seeking to impeach President Biden previously embraced these claims. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., referred to them as “highly credible” disclosures from an FBI “whistleblower.” Republicans had exerted pressure on the FBI to release an internal document that outlined Smirnov’s unverified allegations.
Mark Geragos, the lawyer representing Hunter Biden, believes that Republicans’ heavy reliance on Smirnov and the subsequent amplification of their false claims by Fox News calls for corrective measures to be taken.
In a statement, Geragos accused Fox News of relentlessly targeting Hunter Biden for the past five years, portraying him as a caricature for the sake of ratings and financial gain. He highlighted the recent indictment of FBI informant Smirnov, which he claimed exposed a conspiracy of disinformation fueled by Fox and facilitated by their paid agents. Geragos emphasized their intention to hold Fox accountable for their actions.
