Documents unsealed on November 24, 2025, in the Smartmatic defamation lawsuit against Fox News have brought to light internal communications from the network, including a private text message from then-prominent host Tucker Carlson criticizing President Donald Trump. The revelations highlight internal tensions among network personalities and raise questions about the network’s coverage of the 2020 presidential election.
Story Highlights
- A private text from Tucker Carlson referred to President Donald Trump in a reportedly vile manner.
- Internal documents indicate disagreements among Fox News figures, with hosts such as Sean Hannity reportedly criticizing Carlson.
- The Smartmatic lawsuit seeks $2.7 billion in damages, alleging Fox News spread misinformation that damaged the company’s reputation.
Revelations from the Smartmatic Lawsuit
A collection of internal documents from the Smartmatic defamation lawsuit against Fox News was released on November 24, 2025. The documents contain a text message from former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, in which he described President Donald Trump in a vile way shortly after the 2020 presidential election. This communication is consistent with the public filings detailing the contrast between the network’s public support for the president and the private sentiments of some key figures.
The documents also provide details on internal discussions at Fox News, including reports of other hosts, such as Sean Hannity, criticizing Carlson for his commentary regarding Trump’s allies. These disclosures coincide with ongoing legal examination of Fox News’ role in the dissemination of claims following the 2020 election.
Impact and Context of Media Responsibility
The Smartmatic lawsuit, which follows a prior defamation case involving Dominion Voting Systems, seeks $2.7 billion in damages. The action addresses the broader issue of media organizations’ accountability in reporting on election-related claims. Smartmatic alleges that Fox News’ coverage, which included promoting claims of election fraud, harmed its reputation and resulted in threats against its employees.
The ongoing litigation may influence the legal standards for holding media companies accountable for content disseminated on their platforms. The short-term result is expected to affect Fox News’ public standing, while the long-term outcomes could impact media reporting standards for political and electoral coverage.
Network Response and Document Verification
The revelations have generated public discussion regarding the balance between journalistic independence and political association within media organizations. Fox News has issued statements defending its coverage, asserting that Smartmatic’s business challenges predated the claims made by Trump’s legal representatives on the network. The authenticity of the released documents has been verified by multiple sources, including Mediaite and The Guardian.
The case continues to proceed, with the outcome expected to have an effect on perceptions of media accountability and the established standards of reporting in a politically charged environment.
Watch the report: LEAKED TEXTS: Tucker Carlson on Trump
Sources:
Mediaite: Newly Revealed Docs In Lawsuit Against Fox News Show Tucker Called Trump a
The Guardian: Jeremy Barr’s analysis of the documents
Tucker Carlson’s Private Contempt for Trump: ‘I Hate Him Passionately’ – The New York Times
