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California Court Backs Ryan Kavanaugh in Defamation Case Against Ethan Klein

A recent ruling from the California Court of Appeal has confirmed a lower court’s decision regarding a defamation lawsuit initiated by film financier Ryan Kavanaugh against YouTuber and H3 Podcast host Ethan Klein.

This ruling dismisses Klein’s anti-SLAPP motion, thereby allowing Kavanaugh’s defamation claims to advance to trial.

The dispute originates from a 2019 article in Variety, which highlighted allegations from a former business partner of Kavanaugh, accusing him of orchestrating a Ponzi scheme. The article was later amended following a clarification from Kavanaugh’s legal team, insisting that the issue had been resolved and that he was not guilty of any misconduct.

In 2021, Klein faced another lawsuit related to copyright infringement by Triller Fight Club II, which accused him and his podcast company of using footage from a pay-per-view event without authorization.

Klein claimed that Kavanaugh, as the founding figure of Proxima Media—which held a major stake in Triller from 2019 to 2022—was the driving force behind that lawsuit.

Kavanaugh contends that Klein subsequently initiated a “coordinated online campaign” to tarnish his reputation, including referencing the previously corrected Ponzi scheme allegation from the 2019 article.

The financier claims that Klein repeatedly mentioned the original claim in videos and social media posts, depicting him as deceitful and unreliable.

According to Kavanaugh’s attorneys, “Mr. Klein and his various online platforms republished and sensationalized a claim that had already been corrected, with the intent to discredit Mr. Kavanaugh and damage his reputation.”

They further asserted, “This was not satire or commentary; it was a concerted effort to obliterate a reputation using knowingly false information.”

Kavanaugh’s camp argues that Klein intentionally reiterated harmful and outdated assertions as fact through various media, including multiple episodes of his podcast and social posts.

Klein’s Anti-SLAPP Motion Dismissed

In response, Klein filed an anti-SLAPP motion, asserting that his remarks were protected under the First Amendment as fair commentary on a public figure. Nevertheless, both the trial and appellate courts concluded that Kavanaugh demonstrated a strong likelihood of winning his claims, allowing the case to move forward.

In a 2022 video titled “Ryan Kavanaugh Is Trying To Ruin Me,” Klein elaborated on the litigation he was facing.

Following the appellate court’s ruling, a spokesperson for Kavanaugh stated, “This ruling is a significant step toward holding those accountable who use their platforms to spread false and malicious information under the guise of free speech.”

Kavanaugh is pursuing unspecified financial damages, which sources suggest could amount to millions of dollars if successful, due to perceived damage to his reputation and business operations. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks to secure injunctions against any future defamatory remarks.

Legal experts note that the outcome of this case could have broader implications for the landscape of online commentary and the obligations of content creators, especially regarding discussions of public figures or previously amended allegations.

The lawsuit will continue to progress in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, where both parties will present additional evidence. A trial date has yet to be established.

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