Does one fall from grace predict another? That’s the question being asked as former American icon Rudy Giuliani faces the consequences of defamation judgments, disbarment, and even bankruptcy. And now, another prominent figure, Kari Lake, may be heading down a similar path.
Lake, a news anchor turned Arizona political aspirant, is also facing defamation claims. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings against her, she continues to make unsupported and allegedly defamatory claims, mirroring Giuliani’s actions. Giuliani famously claimed that two Georgia election workers conspired to steal Donald Trump’s win in 2020, despite evidence proving otherwise. Similarly, Lake claims that Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer did the same to her in 2022, despite all evidence to the contrary.
A recent op-ed in AZ Central by Laurie Roberts suggests that Lake is driven by two goals: soliciting donations from conspiracy believers and gaining the adoration of Donald Trump, who has yet to name his 2024 running mate. However, Roberts points out that Lake lacks actual proof to support her claims, leading to her defeat in court during an election challenge and subsequent appeals.
Recently, a court ruling allowed Richer’s defamation case against Lake to proceed, dismissing her legal team’s claims that she was engaging in hyperbole or expressing her opinions about the facts. Despite this setback, Lake has doubled down on her accusations, asserting that she is being targeted for exercising her right to free speech. However, the court disagreed, stating that baselessly accusing someone of being a criminal does not fall under the protection of free speech.
Lake’s surrogates, including her advisor Caroline Wren, have also echoed her unsupported claims of widespread election fraud and media cover-up, despite an absence of evidence presented in court or publicly.
The impact of these controversies on Lake’s Senate race remains uncertain. While FiveThirtyEight’s analysis shows her leading against Democrat Reuben Gallego in the most recent polls, other polls have indicated a different outcome. With the election still almost a year away, the race is wide open.
As Lake continues to face legal challenges and persists in making unsupported allegations, the spotlight on her defamation claims grows. Only time will tell if her path follows that of Giuliani, leading to potential financial ruin and further damage to her public image. For now, she remains a divisive figure with a polarizing impact on the political landscape.
Steph Bazzle, a news writer covering politics and theocracy, endeavors to promote a world free from extremism and authoritarianism. Join Steph on Twitter @imjustasteph to delve into her stories, delivered directly to your inbox.
Please note that some names and events mentioned in this article are based on real-life situations, but the claims and allegations made have been fictionalized for the purpose of this writing.
