Tucker Carlson and Fox News Targeted an Arizona Man with Conspiracy Theories About January 6; Now He Wants Them to Retract Their Statements
Tucker Carlson is already facing mounting criticisms for spreading misinformation despite his own private text messages showing he does not believe things he says on air. Now, he and Fox News may have to retract a January 6 conspiracy theory they helped spread. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Fox News and host Tucker Carlson are being asked to publicly retract and apologize for a January 6 conspiracy theory they may have helped spread.

Former Marine from Arizona Raymond Epps was caught up in a conspiracy theory that accused him of helping to instigate the Capitol attack by pro-Trump demonstrators.

Carlson featured this conspiracy theory in his Fox News show, and Epps' lawyer, Michael Teter, wanted them to retract the statements and apologize.

Epps was a Donald Trump supporter who went to Washington, D.C., for the January 6, 2021, rally of the former president. He was caught on video twice urging Trump supporters to go to the U.S. Capitol that day, the Associated Press reported.

However, he was never arrested, leading some to theorize that he was a government agent conducting a "false flag" operation to inflame trouble that would be blamed on Trump supporters.

According to the AP, there was no evidence suggesting it was true. Epps has already told the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack that he has never worked at or become an informant for a government agency.

Arizona Man's Attorney Says Fox News and Tucker Carlson Lied About His Client

Tucker Carlson was reportedly among the first major figures in the media to give the theory centering on Raymond Epps a wide audience. Ultimately, they were also echoed by Republican members of Congress and Donald Trump himself.

"The fanciful notions that Mr. Carlson advances on his show regarding Mr. Epps's involvement in the January 6th insurrection are demonstrably (and already proven to be) false," wrote Michael Teter in his letter directed to Fox News. "And yet, Mr. Carlson persists with his assault on the truth."

The letter demanded that they apologize and make their retraction on air. That comes as Fox News faces mounting scrutiny over their false claims surrounding the 2020 presidential elections.

During his private deposition with the January 6 committee, Epps denied that he has ever worked for the FBI but admitted under oath that he was a Trump supporter and was present for January 6.

Teter mentioned in his letter that the conspiracy theories surrounding his client are "nonsensical fantasies" that have been "disproven by videos and accounts by those attending the January 6 events."

He then told Fox News and Carlson that the "consequences of your lies cannot be minimized," noting that his client has "been subjected to threats, intimidation, and harassment, resulting in significant economic and emotional damages."

He added that "each time Mr. Carlson and Fox News spread more misinformation about Mr. Epps, the harm redoubles."

Epps and his wife reportedly sold their house and business in Arizona and now hiding in a mobile home in the Rocky Mountains.

Dominion Lawsuit Against Fox News Mwntioned in Raymond Epps' Case

Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corp., are facing a $1.6 billion defamation suit brought by Dominion Voting Systems.

Raymond Epps' lawyer said revelations that came out through court papers in the Dominion lawsuit might explain why Fox acted the way it has with Epps.

The Dominion has accused Fox of amplifying lies that the voting machine company was involved in a plot to steal votes from Donald Trump during the 2020 election. Epps and his attorney feel it is now the time for Fox News to retract their statements.

"Recent revelations from the Dominion Voting lawsuit make clear that Fox News has zero qualms about lying to its viewers," said Michael Teter.

"The fictional story that Mr. Carlson and Fox News have told, and continue to tell, about Ray Epps is just one more example of this. It is time for Mr. Carlson and Fox News to stop the lies and to make amends."

According to The Independent, the letter also claimed that Carlson and Fox News "have repeatedly peddled claims about Mr. Epps that lack any foundation in fact."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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