As a man with a reputation for controversial rhetoric and unconventional conspiracy theories, Glenn Beck is known for making people angry. But it appears that he might be the one angry if a defamation lawsuit approved by a judge disfavors him.
The inflammatory talk show host and founder of online site TheBlaze publicly claimed Saudi national Abdul Rahman Ali Alharbi was the “terrorist” responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Following a police interview and investigation, Alharbi was cleared. Beck, however, continued his smear campaign of the Saudi, even after the perpetrators of the bombing were found.
Alharbi fired back with a defamation lawsuit and Beck countered by trying to have the case dismissed. But US District Judge Patti Saris found Alharbi’s claims valid, stating that Beck, “made numerous false statements about Alharbi on his radio show, even after he was cleared.”
The Judge further expanded her opinion, saying, “As a private figure, Alharbi is not required to allege actual malice in order to make out a claim for defamation. Instead, the level of fault required on the defendants’ part is merely negligence… The facts alleged in Alharbi’s complaint easily permit an inference that the defendants were negligent as to the truthfulness of their reports after the authorities cleared his name. The Court need not determine whether the allegations create a plausible claim of actual malice.”
The case looks to lean in Alharbi’s favor. Settling out of court and making a public apology both seem to be options that would mitigate Beck’s cost, but given his fiery temperament, it’s hard to know what he’ll do.