Megan Thee Stallion Defamation Lawsuit, Rapper Breaks Down on the Stand as $240K Therapy Bills and AI Deepfake Porn Are Exposed in Explosive Miami Trial
Megan Thee Stallion filed a federal defamation lawsuit on October 29, 2024, against blogger Milagro Cooper (known as “Milagro Gramz”), accusing her of running a coordinated smear campaign with imprisoned rapper Tory Lanez to destroy her reputation after she testified against him in his 2022 shooting trial. The ongoing Miami federal trial—which started November 17, 2025—features explosive testimony about AI-generated pornographic deepfakes, $240,000 in therapy costs, and Tory Lanez being held in contempt for $20,000 after storming out of depositions while calling Megan’s attorney expletives.
The Grammy winner broke down on the witness stand Thursday and Friday, telling jurors she felt “defeated” and at one point questioned whether her life mattered after Cooper allegedly promoted the fabricated sexual video to tens of thousands of followers.
What Is the Megan Thee Stallion Defamation Lawsuit About?
Megan Thee Stallion’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accuses 38-year-old Milagro Cooper of four claims: defamation, cyberstalking, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promoting an altered sexual depiction under Florida’s 2024 law targeting AI-generated explicit content.
The rapper—whose legal name is Megan Pete—alleges Cooper acted as a “mouthpiece,” “puppet,” and “paid surrogate” for Tory Lanez (Daystar Peterson), who is serving 10 years in prison after a jury convicted him December 23, 2022, of shooting Megan in both feet during a July 12, 2020 incident outside Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood Hills home.
The lawsuit claims Cooper built her social media brand by “attacking Megan,” coordinating with Lanez and his father Sonstar Peterson, and monetizing harassment through her Stationhead platform “Mobz Radio” and social media accounts.
Timeline: From 2020 Shooting to 2025 Federal Trial
July 12, 2020: Tory Lanez shoots Megan Thee Stallion five times, hitting both feet with bullet fragments requiring surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
August 2020: Megan publicly names Lanez as the shooter; online conspiracy theories begin spreading
February 2021: Milagro Cooper allegedly has three-way call with Lanez and his father; Sonstar Peterson becomes “father figure” to her
December 23, 2022: Jury convicts Lanez on three felony counts including assault with a semiautomatic firearm
August 8, 2023: Lanez sentenced to 10 years in prison without parole
September 2, 2024: Cooper posts claiming Megan has “severe drinking problem” and needs therapy and AA meetings
October 29, 2024: Megan files federal defamation lawsuit in Miami
June 10, 2025: Federal judge issues gag order barring both parties from publicly discussing case
July 21, 2025: Cooper’s initial deposition; forensic extraction reveals 20,000+ deleted messages
November 12, 2025: California Court of Appeals affirms Lanez’s conviction in 46-page opinion
November 15, 2025: Lanez storms out of third deposition, hurls expletives at Megan’s lawyers
November 17, 2025: Trial begins in Miami federal court; jury of five men and four women selected
November 18-22, 2025: Megan, Cooper, expert witnesses testify; trial ongoing as of November 22
The AI Deepfake Video: What Happened and Why Megan Sued
On an unspecified date in 2024, an AI-generated pornographic deepfake video using Megan’s likeness surfaced online. Cooper allegedly promoted it during a livestream, telling followers “go to my likes” to view the fabricated sexual content on her Twitter/X account.
“It’s really embarrassing to see a bunch of people you don’t know see you in a position like that,” Megan testified. “I made up my mind that day that I was going to sue Milagro.”
Megan’s attorney Marie Hayrapetian played the approximately 45-second obscene video for the nine-person jury during opening statements, warning: “Imagine having to sit in court and watch this play for a room full of strangers. That’s what we’re asking Megan to do today, but you need to see it to understand what Milagro Cooper promoted.”
Cooper’s defense attorney Nathacha Bien-Aime argued Cooper didn’t “publicize or share” the video—she merely “liked” it on X, making it visible on her public “Likes” page.
Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga previously rejected this defense in February 2025, writing: “By ‘liking’ an X.com post that featured the deepfake video, the video was exhibited on defendant’s X.com account’s ‘Likes’ page.”
The $240,000 Therapy Bill and Lost Business Deals
Megan’s former manager Travis “T-Farris” Farris testified Wednesday that the rapper spent $240,000 on a four-week intensive therapy program to address emotional distress from Cooper’s alleged campaign and the deepfake video.
Farris recalled Megan coming to him “in tears” and apologizing for him having to witness the pornographic deepfake.
A Roc Nation representative testified that Megan backed out of a lucrative deal allowing Call of Duty video games to use her image because the first-person shooter game was “very triggering” following the 2020 shooting.
Court exhibits show Megan lost brand deals in 2020 following the shooting and Cooper’s alleged defamatory posts, though specific financial amounts were not publicly disclosed.
During cross-examination Friday, Megan testified the situation caused such severe depression that “at that point, I’m starting to question if it [her life] matters to me.”
Megan’s Emotional Testimony: “I Felt Like My Life Doesn’t Matter”
Megan took the stand Thursday and Friday, describing Cooper’s alleged campaign as relentless and coordinated.
“She’s created a space for a lot of people to come speak negatively about me,” Megan testified, referencing Cooper’s social media platforms where followers attacked her character, called her a liar, and questioned her mental stability.
Megan told jurors Cooper’s attacks started before Lanez’s trial: “I believe he and his family were using Cooper to sway public opinion, painting me as a liar who testified against an innocent man.”
“I felt like my life doesn’t matter to anybody, and at that point, I’m starting to question if it matters to me,” Megan said while crying on the stand.
Jurors saw a Tory Lanez music video titled “CAP” showing him seemingly chopping up a horse’s leg—which Megan’s lawyers argued was a threatening reference to her stage name “Thee Stallion.”
During cross-examination, Cooper’s attorneys challenged Megan’s credibility, asking whether she ever misled the public. Megan acknowledged she hasn’t been “fully truthful in other, unrelated situations” but maintained she told the truth during Lanez’s 2022 criminal trial.
Milagro Cooper’s Defense: “I Know She Was Hurt”
Cooper testified all day Tuesday, defending her coverage of the Lanez case as legitimate commentary about a high-profile criminal trial.
“Unfortunately, sex tapes are something of the public interest. It came up, and I spoke about it,” Cooper testified about the deepfake video.
Cooper admitted she had a three-way call with Lanez and his father in February 2021 and that Sonstar Peterson became a “father figure” to her. She testified they discussed topics beyond the shooting case, including cooking and podcasting.
When asked what she would do if “you found out today conclusively” that Lanez shot Megan as the jury determined, Cooper grew emotional: “I know she was hurt, and I hate that she was hurt. I truly do.”
Cooper explained her skepticism stemmed from personal experience: “My mother went to jail my whole upbringing. I come from a negative area where so many people go to jail. Not everyone is guilty. So when a Black man was being accused of something and the details were shaky, I wanted to be certain of the facts.”
The Tory Lanez Connection: $20K Contempt Fine and Deleted Messages
Tory Lanez, though not named as a defendant, looms large over the trial.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid held Lanez and his attorney Crystal Morgan in contempt on November 17, ordering Lanez to pay $20,000 “as a fine for his obstruction of Plaintiff’s multiple attempts to depose him.”
Court documents show Lanez “stormed out of the room” during his November 15 deposition, called Megan’s lawyer a liar, and refused to answer how he met Cooper, whether he communicated with her, or whether they exchanged Instagram or text messages.
Judge Reid recommended the jury be instructed that “Mr. Peterson was properly asked the three questions listed above, but refused to answer and ultimately terminated the deposition without answering any questions.”
Forensic examination of Cooper’s iPhone revealed she deleted over 20,000 messages across iMessage, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Discord—including a folder labeled “re: Sonstar Peterson.”
Megan’s lawyers presented alleged text messages showing Sonstar Peterson gave Cooper instructions to access his Tarzana home security gate, with exchanges ending “love you”—suggesting a possible romantic relationship beyond Cooper’s claimed “father figure” dynamic.
The Defamation Claims: What Cooper Allegedly Said
Court documents identify specific statements Megan claims are defamatory:
- Accusing Megan of committing perjury during Lanez’s trial
- Calling her “mentally retarded” and mentally unstable
- Claiming she has a “severe drinking problem” and needs AA meetings
- Stating Megan “lied on somebody” and falsely testified against Lanez
- Suggesting the gun used in the shooting went missing from evidence
- Claiming Megan was “caught trying to deceive the courts”
In audio played during opening statements, Cooper is heard saying: “At the end of the day, a bitch lying on somebody is low down. So believe what the fuck you want to believe.”
Cooper also stated she wanted to “slap” Megan.
Florida’s New AI Deepfake Law: Groundbreaking Legal Territory
Megan’s third claim invokes Florida Statutes Section 836.105, enacted in 2024, which imposes civil penalties for individuals who knowingly promote or distribute AI-altered sexually explicit images of identifiable persons.
This makes Megan Thee Stallion v. Milagro Cooper one of the first high-profile tests of state laws criminalizing deepfake pornography distribution.
Legal experts note this claim doesn’t require proving actual malice—only that Cooper knowingly promoted fabricated sexual content, making it potentially easier to win than traditional defamation claims against public figures.
Defamation Per Se: Lower Burden for Public Figures?
In February 2025, Judge Altonaga ruled Megan made a “compelling case” that Cooper defamed her, writing: “Plaintiff’s claims extend far beyond mere negligence—they paint a picture of an intentional campaign to destroy her reputation.”
The judge found Cooper’s statements qualified as “defamation per se” because “a reasonable person could interpret Defendant’s statements as accusations of perjury, mental incapacity, and alcoholism.”
Megan’s attorneys filed a brief arguing Florida law allows public figures to proceed on defamation per se claims “without requiring proof of economic harm” once actual malice is demonstrated.
“Federal and state courts applying Florida law have repeatedly allowed public figures to proceed on claims of defamation per se without requiring proof of economic harm,” the filing states. “Florida precedent makes clear that once a public figure demonstrates actual malice, the traditional presumption of damages in per se defamation remains intact.”
Expert Witness: PTSD and “Battered Woman Syndrome”
Psychologist Dr. Lenore Walker—an expert in “battered woman syndrome”—testified Wednesday that Megan struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder stemming from the 2020 shooting and subsequent online harassment.
Walker’s testimony aimed to establish the severe psychological harm Megan claims Cooper inflicted, supporting the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim.
What the Jury Must Decide: Four Legal Claims
The jury instructions require jurors to determine:
1. Defamation: Did Cooper make false statements of fact about Megan that damaged her reputation, and did she act with actual malice (knowing falsity or reckless disregard for truth)?
2. Cyberstalking: Did Cooper engage in a course of conduct directed at Megan to cause substantial emotional distress through electronic communications?
3. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Was Cooper’s conduct extreme, outrageous, intentional, and did it cause severe emotional harm?
4. Promotion of Altered Sexual Depiction: Did Cooper knowingly promote AI-generated sexually explicit content depicting Megan under Florida’s 2024 statute?
Similar Celebrity Defamation Cases
Megan’s case joins other high-profile defamation lawsuits:
- Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard: Depp won $10.35 million in 2022 Virginia trial over Washington Post op-ed
- Sarah Palin v. New York Times: Failed to prove actual malice in 2022 federal trial
- Cardi B defamation victory: Won $4 million in 2022 against blogger Tasha K for similar harassment campaign
- Jesse Ventura v. Chris Kyle estate: Won $1.8 million for defamation in “American Sniper” book
The Cardi B case is particularly relevant—blogger Tasha K was ordered to pay $4 million for spreading false claims about sexually transmitted diseases, prostitution, and drug use through YouTube videos and social media posts.
Current Trial Status and Expected Verdict Timeline
As of November 22, 2025, the trial is in its final days in Miami’s Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse.
Cross-examination of Megan is scheduled to continue Monday, November 25. Cooper is also expected to return to the witness stand.
Legal observers predict closing arguments could come as early as Tuesday, November 26, with jury deliberations beginning immediately after.
A verdict could be announced by end of next week, though complex civil trials sometimes extend into weeks of jury deliberation.
If Megan prevails, the jury will determine damages—potentially including compensatory damages for lost income and reputation harm, punitive damages to punish Cooper’s conduct, and statutory damages under the deepfake law.
Megan’s lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount but references specific financial harm including lost brand deals, speaking engagements, and the $240,000 therapy costs.
The Broader Implications: Social Media Harassment and AI Deepfakes
Legal experts say this case could establish important precedents for:
- AI deepfake liability: Clarifying whether “liking” or promoting fabricated sexual content constitutes distribution
- Coordinated harassment campaigns: Whether bloggers and influencers can be held liable for allegedly coordinating with third parties to defame public figures
- Public figure defamation standard: Testing whether Florida’s defamation per se doctrine reduces the actual malice burden
- Social media platform responsibilities: Whether platforms must do more to remove AI-generated explicit content
Attorney analysis suggests the deepfake claim may be Megan’s strongest because it doesn’t require proving Cooper knew statements were false—only that she knowingly promoted fabricated sexual imagery.
The case also highlights the weaponization of social media against victims who testify in criminal trials, with potential chilling effects on witness cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Megan Thee Stallion defamation lawsuit about?
Megan Thee Stallion sued blogger Milagro Cooper (Milagro Gramz) on October 29, 2024, in Miami federal court, accusing her of defamation, cyberstalking, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promoting AI-generated pornographic deepfakes. Megan alleges Cooper coordinated with imprisoned rapper Tory Lanez to destroy her reputation after she testified against him in his 2022 shooting trial. The trial is currently ongoing as of November 22, 2025.
Who is Milagro Gramz and what did she allegedly do?
Milagro Cooper, 38, is an online commentator and blogger known as “Milagro Gramz” who hosts “Mobz Radio” on Stationhead. Megan’s lawsuit alleges Cooper spread false claims that Megan lied during Lanez’s trial, committed perjury, is “mentally retarded,” has a severe drinking problem, and promoted an AI-generated pornographic deepfake video of the rapper to tens of thousands of followers.
What is the AI deepfake video in the Megan Thee Stallion case?
An AI-generated pornographic video falsely depicting Megan in explicit sexual acts surfaced online. Cooper allegedly promoted it during a livestream and directed followers to view it on her Twitter/X “Likes” page. Megan testified this was the moment she decided to sue, calling it “really embarrassing.” The lawsuit invokes Florida’s 2024 law criminalizing knowing distribution of AI-altered sexual content.
How much money is Megan Thee Stallion suing for?
Megan seeks an unspecified amount in compensatory damages, punitive damages, statutory damages, attorney’s fees, costs, and interest. Evidence presented includes $240,000 in therapy costs, lost brand deals including a Call of Duty partnership, and reputational harm. Similar cases like Cardi B v. Tasha K resulted in $4 million verdicts.
What is the connection between Tory Lanez and Milagro Gramz?
Megan alleges Cooper acted as Lanez’s “mouthpiece” and “paid surrogate,” coordinating with him and his father Sonstar Peterson to harass her. Cooper admitted to three-way calls with both Lanez men in February 2021. Forensic evidence shows Cooper deleted 20,000+ messages including a folder labeled “re: Sonstar Peterson.” Alleged texts suggest a possible romantic relationship with Lanez’s father. Lanez was held in contempt for $20,000 for refusing to answer questions about his relationship with Cooper.
What is the current status of the Megan Thee Stallion lawsuit?
The federal trial is ongoing in Miami as of November 22, 2025. Megan testified Thursday-Friday; Cooper testified Tuesday. Cross-examination continues Monday, November 25, with closing arguments expected Tuesday, November 26. A jury of five men and four women will decide four claims: defamation, cyberstalking, emotional distress, and promoting altered sexual content. A verdict could come as early as November 26-28, 2025.
Did Tory Lanez testify in the Megan Thee Stallion defamation trial?
No. Lanez refused to cooperate with three depositions from prison, storming out of his November 15 deposition while calling Megan’s attorney expletives. Judge Lisette M. Reid held him in contempt, fining him $20,000 for obstruction. The jury will be instructed that Lanez refused to answer questions about how he met Cooper and whether they communicated. His attorney Crystal Morgan was also found in contempt for failing to instruct him to comply.
What happens if Megan Thee Stallion wins the defamation case?
If the jury rules in Megan’s favor, they will determine damages including: (1) compensatory damages for lost income, brand deals, and reputational harm; (2) punitive damages to punish Cooper’s conduct; (3) statutory damages under Florida’s deepfake law; and (4) attorney’s fees and costs. Given the $240,000 therapy costs and evidence of lost business opportunities, damages could potentially reach seven figures similar to the Cardi B v. Tasha K $4 million verdict.
Disclaimer: This article provides factual information about the Megan Thee Stallion defamation lawsuit based on publicly available court documents and news reports. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Case details are based on allegations and court filings, which may not represent final determinations. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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