Ex-Overstock CEO says Hunter Biden's lawsuit is weak… Can’t prove he had doubts?

Patrick Byrne, the former Overstock CEO, is asking for Hunter Biden’s defamation lawsuit to be dismissed entirely. He argues that Biden can’t show Byrne knew he was lying about the bribery plot involving Iran. Byrne’s lawyers claim there’s no proof he had any doubts about what he was saying.

Wow, that title is a mess to read through.

Quick rundown: A rich Trump supporter, Patrick Byrne, made claims in an interview about Hunter Biden being tied to an Iranian bribery scheme. Hunter is suing him for defamation, saying Byrne spread these false claims to cause harm. Byrne’s defense is that Hunter can’t prove he knew he was lying or that he just didn’t care if it was true or not.

> Hunter’s side pointed out that Byrne, who’s also being sued by Dominion Voting Systems, was intentionally lying and spreading false info to cause harassment and damage.

> In response, Byrne’s legal team says Biden can’t prove Byrne acted with ‘actual malice’— which means Biden needs to show solid proof that Byrne knowingly spread lies or ignored the truth.

@Jace
I’m not a lawyer, but that sure sounds like reckless disregard to me. ¯\(ツ)

Skyler said:
@Jace
I’m not a lawyer, but that sure sounds like reckless disregard to me. ¯\(ツ)

We’re officially in the ‘Found Out’ stage of the meme.

PamelaWinterfield said:

Skyler said:
@Jace
I’m not a lawyer, but that sure sounds like reckless disregard to me. ¯\(ツ)

We’re officially in the ‘Found Out’ stage of the meme.

Yeah, probably.

So Byrne’s team filed for summary judgment, saying Biden’s case should be tossed since he’s a public figure and can’t prove Byrne acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth. Honestly, any decent lawyer would try this move to either dismiss the case or make Biden meet a higher proof standard by labeling him a public figure. Now, unless Biden’s legal team was really careless with their evidence, whether there’s clear and convincing proof is something for a jury to decide. The judge might not be a hardcore Trump supporter, but it’s still worth presenting this motion. To be clear, I don’t think Byrne should win; I’d be happy if both Dominion and Hunter take him down. But Byrne’s lawyers are doing what they’re supposed to do, especially given their client’s wealth and political ties.

@Bao
Hunter Biden’s only a ‘public figure’ because the GOP dragged him into the spotlight to attack his dad. It’s really gross how they did it.

Grier said:
@Bao
Hunter Biden’s only a ‘public figure’ because the GOP dragged him into the spotlight to attack his dad. It’s really gross how they did it.

Right? By that same logic, does that mean I can just say Trump was inappropriate with his own daughter?