Former Biden “disinformation czar” Nina Jankowicz has lost her appeal in a defamation case against Fox News.
A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling tossing out her lawsuit.
The Lawsuit
Jankowicz sued Fox News in 2023 over its coverage of the Disinformation Governance Board.
Nina Jankowicz
She alleged the network defamed her personally while criticizing the board.
Fox argued its reporting and commentary were protected speech.
In 2024, a district court dismissed her complaint in its entirety.
The court said nearly all statements were either opinion or substantially true.
Appeals Court Ruling
On September 12, a three-judge panel affirmed the dismissal.
The ruling said criticism of the board was not “of and concerning” Jankowicz.
Judges cited New York Times v. Sullivan as precedent.
They wrote her argument risked turning criticism of government into defamation claims.
The court held that most contested remarks were hyperbole or speculation.
It also found Fox’s descriptions of her departure from DHS were “substantially true.”
Jankowicz Responds
Jankowicz posted online that she was “furious” at the ruling.
She claimed the justice system protects offenders instead of victims.
She argued courts are failing to adapt to “violent political rhetoric.”
She insisted Fox smeared her to force her resignation.
She promoted her “Nina Jankowicz Legal Fund” to raise money for appeals.
She said the ruling makes it “open season” on public servants.
Fox News Reaction
Fox News welcomed the decision.
“This was a politically motivated lawsuit aimed at silencing free speech,” the network said.
Executives called the ruling a victory for the First Amendment.
They said they would continue to defend vigorous commentary on public issues.
Fox was represented by attorneys from Torridon Law and DLA Piper.
Background
Jankowicz led DHS’s short-lived Disinformation Governance Board in 2022.
Conservatives dubbed it a “Ministry of Truth” and forced its shutdown.
Fox hosts mocked her viral TikTok singing video and board role.
“Misinformation czar” Nina Jankowicz’s libel lawsuit against @FoxNews was dismissed by Third Circuit Court Judge Felipe Restrepo.
Nice try Nina…🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/PpSzghHzvz
— Shaughn_A (@Shaughn_A2) September 17, 2025
Jankowicz claimed Fox falsely portrayed her as censoring Americans.
Judges concluded those descriptions were protected political opinion.
