A
U.S. District Judge
The case stems from an offer by Musk to send miniature submarines to aid in the rescue of several trapped children inside a
A September deposition showed that Musk suggested Unsworth might be "another
Musk has said the term "pedo guy" was an insult and not to be taken as a fact -- and argued Unsworth is a public figure because of his involvement in the widely-reported cave rescue. Public figures must meet a higher burden of proof, known as "actual malice," to demonstrate defamation. "Actual malice" indicates a person knowingly expressed a falsehood.
In his 18-page decision, the judge ruled Unsworth is a private person and must only prove that Musk acted negligently in expressing his views.
Unsworth seeks damages from Musk in excess of
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