From Wilkins v. Schaffer, decided yesterday by Judge Donald Middlebrooks (S.D. Fla.):
Plaintiff Alexis Wilkins has lodged a single defamation by implication claim against Defendant Elijah Schaffer, political commentator, comedian, and podcast host whose shows mix politics and current events, with a comedic, satirical style.
Plaintiff's claim is centered on an X-post drafted by the Defendant. The post at issue is caption-less but contains a photograph of Plaintiff alongside her significant other, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Director Kashyap "Kash" Patel. The post also "quotes" a distinct post, which in pertinent part, states that "Mossad sent female operatives deep into Iran-seducing top officials, infiltrating government surveillance networks, and carrying out sabotage missions."
In essence, Plaintiff argues that this post insinuates and spreads the false narrative that Ms. Wilkins is "an Israeli Mossad agent, spy, or 'honeypot,' who is only in a relationship with Kash Patel to spy on and manipulate the United States government." This insinuation is the core of Plaintiff's claim for defamation by implication….
