Laura Loomer files defamation lawsuit against Bill Maher and HBO over Trump affair allegations

Investigative journalist Laura Loomer has officially filed a defamation lawsuit against Bill Maher and HBO, following remarks made on the September 13 episode of ‘Real Time with Bill Maher.’ 

The lawsuit, filed in Sumter County, Florida, claims that Maher falsely implied Loomer had an affair with former President Donald Trump. Loomer, known for her political activism and multiple Congressional runs, first threatened legal action on September 14, immediately after the episode aired. The lawsuit details accusations of defamation, defamation per se, and defamation by implication, seeking damages in excess of $50,000.

According to the lawsuit, Maher’s statement, where he described Loomer as “Trump’s type” and suggested she was romantically involved with Trump, was made without any factual basis. Loomer asserts that Maher’s comments, made in front of a national and international audience, were intended to damage her reputation. The lawsuit emphasizes that the defamatory statements were aired widely, not only in Sumter County, Florida, where Loomer’s reputation is well-established, but across the U.S. and beyond, including online and on social media.

Loomer also accuses HBO of being complicit in the defamation, arguing that as Maher’s employer, the network is responsible for allowing the broadcast of misleading and harmful information. In addition to the original statement on September 13, the lawsuit highlights a follow-up episode of Real Time on September 20, where Maher continued to mock Loomer during a segment titled “24 Things You Don’t Know About Laura Loomer.” This segment, according to the lawsuit, compounded the damage by including fabricated statements such as “My biggest fear is immigrants taking my job as a right-wing hatemonger” and “I don’t hate all brown people, just the brown ones.”

Loomer’s legal team argues that these repeated attacks demonstrate actual malice, as Maher and HBO allegedly failed to conduct any due diligence before airing the claims. The lawsuit states that Maher acted with reckless disregard for the truth, a key element in proving defamation under U.S. law. It also claims that Maher’s comments were politically motivated, aiming not only to harm Loomer’s personal and professional reputation but also to disparage Donald Trump in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.

The lawsuit points out that Loomer requested a retraction and public apology from Maher and HBO, as well as the opportunity to appear on Real Time to correct the record, but these requests were ignored. This refusal, according to Loomer’s legal team, is further evidence of Maher and HBO’s intent to harm her reputation. Additionally, Loomer alleges that Maher and his legal team, represented by the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, engaged in a partisan campaign against her, further indicating malice.

Loomer is seeking significant damages for the reputational and financial harm she claims to have suffered as a result of Maher’s remarks. The lawsuit remains ongoing, and Maher and HBO have yet to provide a public response.