Federal Judge Dismisses Laura Loomer's Defamation Case Against Bill Maher Over Trump Remarks

A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by Laura Loomer against comedian Bill Maher and HBO, following remarks made during an episode of “Real Time” where Maher implied she was involved in a sexual relationship with former President Donald Trump.

U.S. District Judge James Moody ruled on Wednesday that Loomer failed to demonstrate that Maher acted with actual malice in his comments. The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, stemmed from Maher’s suggestion that Loomer was possibly “in an arranged relationship to affect the election because she’s very close to Trump. She’s 31, looks like his type.”

Maher elaborated during the episode, stating, “We did an editorial here a few years ago … it was basically, who’s Trump f**king? Because I said, you know, it’s not nobody. He’s been a dog for too long, and it’s not Melania. I think we may have our answer this week. I think it might be Laura Loomer.”

In his decision, Judge Moody noted that Maher’s remarks were made in the context of comedy and were directed at a public figure. He emphasized that the environment surrounding the comments was filled with jokes and speculation regarding Loomer’s ties to Trump.

“Because no reasonable person would take the episode as Maher commenting on facts and because Plaintiff has not proved Defendants acted with actual malice, or that she suffered damages, Defendants are entitled to summary judgment in their favor,” Moody stated.

The judge also pointed out that speculation about Loomer’s relationship with Trump had been circulating prior to Maher’s comments on September 13, 2024. He remarked, “The delivery of the episode, by a well-known comedian, in the context of a late-night comedy television series centered around jokes, signaled to viewers that this was not a factual statement about Loomer or concerning Loomer.”

In response to the ruling, Loomer took to social media to express her discontent, labeling the decision as “factually and legally wrong.”

“It is beyond the pale for any judge to say that a woman can be accused of having sex with a man and have it be brushed off as ‘a joke’ just because she proclaimed a platonic love for their politics and leadership style. The ruling is totally dishonest and misogynistic. I am a professional woman who simply traveled as a guest to the Presidential debate, and everyone knows Bill Maher was a strong supporter of Kamala Harris and rabidly anti-Trump at the time he made these defamatory comments about me,” Loomer wrote on X.

Loomer had sought over $150 million in damages from the lawsuit, according to reports.