Federal judge dismisses Laura Loomer's defamation suit against Bill Maher

Politics NewsFederal judge dismisses Laura Loomer's defamation suit against Bill MaherThe judge said the comedian was clearly making a joke when he suggested on his talk show that the far-right activist had a sexual relationship with President Donald Trump.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00The judge noted in his ruling that Laura Loomer had not suffered any reputational or financial harm from Bill Maher's comments.Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 22, 2026, 10:25 PM EDTBy Kyla GuilfoilA federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a defamation lawsuit from Laura Loomer, ruling in favor of comedian Bill Maher over a comment he made on his show that insinuated the far-right activist had an affair with President Donald Trump.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.U.S. District Judge James Moody wrote in an 18-page ruling that Maher was clearly joking when he made the comment during a September 2024 episode of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher."Moody said the episode aired "during a time when the environment was rife with jokes and speculation about Loomer’s relationship with President Trump," and that a reasonable viewer of the show "would have understood Maher was making a joke, and not a statement of fact about plaintiff and President Trump."During the show in question, Maher said, “We did an editorial here a few years ago…it was basically, who’s Trump f------?”He then added, “I think it might be Laura Loomer.”The episode aired shortly after Loomer had attended a presidential debate and a 9/11 memorial with Trump. She had also traveled on Trump’s private plane.Add NBC News to GoogleNational Security Agency chief dismissed, 'no real reason for why'03:59The judge also wrote that Loomer failed to prove reputational harm or loss of income over Maher's comments, particularly after Loomer testified that her income increased in 2024 compared to previous years. Moody add...