Thousands of internal documents have emerged from the ongoing $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, providing unprecedented insight into the network's internal dynamics following the 2020 presidential election. The exhibits, released as part of voting technology company Smartmatic's legal case, include private text messages and email exchanges between key figures including Rupert Murdoch, Sean Hannity, and Tucker Carlson.
Internal Conflicts and Contradictions
The documents reveal significant tensions within Fox News as Donald Trump refused to concede defeat. Three days after the election, top presenter Sean Hannity expressed confidence that Trump would accept the result peacefully, stating in a private message: "That will happen. I know it for a fact." This contrasts sharply with the former president's subsequent actions and the network's coverage.
Meanwhile, Tucker Carlson privately described Trump as a "total piece of shit" in a November 9 message, while simultaneously expressing concern about how to manage viewer backlash. "When Trump loses, he's going to blame us," Carlson wrote to colleague Bret Baier. "That's going to be very bad."
Executive Reactions and Business Concerns
Rupert Murdoch vigorously defended Fox News's election coverage in a previously unseen email from January 8, 2021. "We are very proud of our coverage," the media mogul wrote, adding that they had "repeatedly urged Trump to accept the result."
The documents also exposed internal disagreements about guest appearances. Fox Business Network's Lou Dobbs complained that Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was being "black-balled" from the network despite her controversial status. Network management expressed concerns about her tweets regarding Dominion voting machines, with Fox later reaching a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion in a separate defamation case.
Financial details emerged too, with Maria Bartiromo's deposition revealing she had earned over $70 million during her tenure at Fox News. The documents also show Steve Bannon encouraging Bartiromo to run for US Senate against Chuck Schumer, telling her "This is your moment."
Broader Implications and Fallout
The released materials indicate concerns extended to Fox Corporation's board level. Board members Anne Dias and former House Speaker Paul Ryan discussed their criticisms of the network's coverage, with Dias suggesting "Trump needs a scapegoat and it's now Fox."
Meanwhile, Jeanine Pirro's attempt to have the Republican National Committee purchase copies of her book revealed internal politics, while Hannity criticised Tucker Carlson's approach to covering Sidney Powell's election fraud claims as a "classic O'Reilly move" that angered Trump supporters.
Fox News has strongly denied Smartmatic's defamation claims, arguing the company has vastly overstated its value. Smartmatic responded that Fox's "attempts to delay accountability won't work, and its day of reckoning is coming." The case continues to unfold as these internal communications become public.
