Did Erika Kirk File a Lawsuit Against ABC and The View? Legal Investigation Reveals the Shocking Truth

ByAll About Lawyer Reading Time: 10 minutes

Last Updated: September 20, 2025 | By AllAboutLawyer.com Legal News Team

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen some pretty wild headlines about Erika Kirk dropping a massive lawsuit on ABC and The View. The story spread like wildfire, with claims of a $40 million defamation lawsuit that supposedly had the network scrambling.

But here’s the thing that’ll probably surprise you: The entire story is completely fabricated.

Legal Fact-Check Verdict: After investigating court records, media reports, and fact-checking multiple sources, we can confirm that no lawsuit has been filed by Erika Kirk against ABC or The View. This story originated from a satirical website and has been thoroughly debunked by major fact-checking organizations.

Let me walk you through what actually happened and why this fake news story reveals something important about how we consume legal news in the digital age.

The Viral Claim That Fooled Thousands

The rumor started simple enough. According to the fake reports circulating online, Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against ABC and “The View.”

The story claimed that after weeks of alleged “vile smears” against her late husband, Erika had finally drawn the line and decided to take legal action. Social media posts described her as calling the network’s coverage “shameful and disgusting.”

It sounded plausible, especially given the current climate of media tensions and high-profile defamation cases. But there was just one problem: none of it was true.

Here’s where things get interesting from a media literacy perspective. The lawsuit report has been revealed to be fake. It was first shared by a Facebook page titled America’s Last Line of Defense on Wednesday, September 17.

Now, if you’re not familiar with America’s Last Line of Defense, here’s what you need to know: it’s a satirical website that openly admits its content isn’t real. The biography of the account says that anything they post is not real.

This isn’t some hidden disclaimer buried in fine print. The website is part of a network that clearly states “nothing on this page is real.” Yet somehow, the story jumped from obvious satire to being shared as legitimate news across social media platforms.

How Fact-Checkers Debunked the Claims

Multiple reputable fact-checking organizations quickly moved to debunk these claims:

Verified Fact-Checking Sources:

  • ✅ Snopes – Rated the story as “False”
  • ✅ Lead Stories – Confirmed satirical origin with evidence
  • ✅ PrimeTimer – Traced fake news to original source
  • ✅ MEAWW News – Provided comprehensive debunking analysis

Legal Expert Insight: “Stories like this highlight why it’s crucial to verify legal news through official court records and established news sources before drawing conclusions,” notes legal media analyst reviewing the case.

This rumor about Erika Kirk suing ABC and “The View” is just another example of a made-up story spreading online after her husband’s death.

The timing was particularly concerning, as rumors about lawsuit spread while Erika Kirk mourned the death of Charlie Kirk in Utah. The spread of false legal news during a time of grief highlights the real human cost of misinformation.

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Did Erika Kirk File a Lawsuit Against ABC and The View? Legal Investigation Reveals the Shocking Truth

What Erika Kirk Is Actually Doing

Instead of filing fictional lawsuits, Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, was named the new CEO and chair of the board for Turning Point USA after her husband was killed.

She’s focused on continuing her husband’s work and leading the organization during this difficult transition, not pursuing imaginary legal battles with television networks.

You might be thinking, “Okay, so it’s fake news. Why does this matter for understanding real legal issues?”

Here’s why it’s actually pretty significant:

It Shows How Legal Misinformation Spreads The speed at which this false story spread demonstrates how quickly fabricated legal news can gain traction, especially when it confirms existing biases or feeds into ongoing cultural tensions.

It Highlights the Importance of Source Verification Many people shared this story without checking whether it came from legitimate legal reporting sources. This highlights the critical need for media literacy in legal news consumption.

It Reveals the Real-World Impact of Fake Legal Claims False lawsuit stories can damage reputations, create unnecessary controversy, and distract from real legal issues that deserve public attention.

Based on this case study, here are some warning signs that a legal news story might be fabricated:

🚩 Source Red Flags

  • Stories originating from satirical websites
  • No quotes from actual lawyers or legal representatives
  • Lack of court filing information or case numbers
  • Missing details about which court the case was filed in

🚩 Content Red Flags

  • Sensationalized dollar amounts without supporting details
  • Vague claims about “explosive” or “shocking” lawsuits
  • Stories that seem designed to provoke strong emotional reactions
  • Missing information about legal representation

🚩 Context Red Flags

  • Stories that appear during emotionally charged periods
  • Claims that align perfectly with existing political narratives
  • Lack of follow-up reporting from mainstream legal news sources

Pro Tip: Legitimate legal news always includes verifiable details like case numbers, court jurisdictions, and attorney names that can be independently verified.

What Real Defamation Lawsuits Actually Look Like

Since this fake story claimed to be about defamation, it’s worth understanding what legitimate defamation cases actually involve:

Legitimate Legal Documentation Real defamation lawsuits come with verifiable court filings, case numbers, and specific allegations that can be independently verified.

Detailed Legal Claims Actual defamation cases include specific statements claimed to be defamatory, evidence of publication, and documentation of alleged damages.

Professional Legal Representation Legitimate high-stakes defamation cases involve identifiable attorneys and law firms that can be contacted for comment.

Media Coverage from Multiple Sources Real major lawsuits get covered by multiple legitimate news organizations, not just social media posts and satirical websites.

Did Erika Kirk File a Lawsuit Against ABC and The View? Legal Investigation Reveals the Shocking Truth

The Bigger Picture: Media Law and Public Figures

While the Erika Kirk lawsuit story is fabricated, it does touch on real legal concepts worth understanding:

Defamation Law Basics Public figures face higher burdens when bringing defamation claims, needing to prove “actual malice” under the New York Times v. Sullivan standard.

Media Liability Television networks and their hosts can face legal consequences for false statements, but the bar for successful litigation is quite high.

Emotional Distress Claims Families of public figures may have legal recourse for intentional infliction of emotional distress, though these cases are also challenging to win.

Given how easily fake legal news can spread, here’s a practical checklist for verifying lawsuit claims:

Step 1: Check the Source

  • Is the story coming from a legitimate news organization?
  • Does the source have a track record of accurate legal reporting?
  • Are there any disclaimers about satirical content?
  • Is there a case number provided?
  • Which court supposedly has the case?
  • Who are the attorneys representing the parties?

Step 3: Cross-Reference

  • Are other legitimate news outlets reporting the story?
  • Can you find the actual court filing?
  • Have any legal experts commented on the case?

Step 4: Consider the Context

  • Does the timing seem suspicious?
  • Are the claims unusually sensational?
  • Does the story seem designed to provoke specific reactions?

Lessons from the Erika Kirk Misinformation Case

This incident offers several important takeaways for anyone following legal news:

Satirical Content Can Become “News” Even clearly labeled satirical content can be repackaged and shared as legitimate news, especially on social media platforms where context is often lost.

Emotional Moments Create Vulnerability False stories often gain traction during emotionally charged periods when people are more likely to share content that aligns with their feelings without verification.

Media Literacy Is Critical Understanding how to identify legitimate legal news sources and verify claims is becoming increasingly important in our digital information environment.

While the Erika Kirk lawsuit story is fake, television networks and media companies do face real legal challenges:

Ongoing Defamation Cases Networks regularly deal with defamation claims, though most don’t result in major payouts.

Editorial Responsibilities Media companies must balance free speech rights with potential legal liability for false or misleading content.

Insurance and Risk Management Major networks carry substantial insurance policies to protect against defamation and other media-related legal claims.

The spread of fabricated lawsuit stories can have real consequences:

Resource Misallocation News organizations and legal professionals may waste time investigating false claims instead of covering legitimate legal developments.

Public Confusion Fake legal news can create misunderstanding about how the legal system actually works.

Reputational Damage Both the subjects of fake lawsuits and the organizations they supposedly sue can suffer reputational harm from false stories.

As consumers of legal news, we can all do better. Here’s how:

Question Sensational Claims If a legal story seems too outrageous to be true, it might be worth verifying before sharing.

Seek Multiple Sources Real legal news gets covered by multiple legitimate outlets. If only one source is reporting a major lawsuit, be skeptical.

Understand Legal Processes Learning basic information about how lawsuits actually work can help you spot fake legal news more easily.

Support Quality Legal Journalism Legitimate legal reporting takes time and expertise. Supporting quality news sources helps ensure accurate coverage of real legal issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Erika Kirk actually file any lawsuit against ABC or The View?

No. Multiple fact-checking organizations have confirmed that no lawsuit was filed. The entire story originated from a satirical website that openly states its content is not real.

Where did the fake lawsuit story come from?

The false story was first published by America’s Last Line of Defense, a satirical Facebook page that clearly identifies its content as fictional. The story then spread across social media as if it were legitimate news.

How much money was the fake lawsuit supposedly worth?

The fabricated story claimed Erika Kirk was seeking $40 million in damages, but since no lawsuit was actually filed, this number is meaningless.

Fake legal stories often spread rapidly because they tap into existing tensions, confirm biases, or seem to provide satisfying narrative conclusions to ongoing controversies. People may share them without verification because they align with their expectations or desires.

How can I tell if a legal news story is legitimate?

Check for specific details like court names, case numbers, and attorney information. Look for coverage from multiple reputable news sources. Be especially skeptical of stories that seem designed to provoke strong emotional reactions or that originate from satirical websites.

What is America’s Last Line of Defense?

It’s a network of satirical websites that create fictional news stories, often with political themes. The sites clearly state that their content is not real, but their stories sometimes get shared as if they were legitimate news.

While media companies regularly face various legal challenges, there is no legitimate lawsuit from Erika Kirk against ABC or The View. Any real legal action involving major networks would be widely reported by legitimate news organizations.

What should I do if I shared the fake story?

Consider posting a correction or clarification to help prevent further spread of the misinformation. It’s a good opportunity to remind your network about the importance of verifying news stories before sharing them.

The Bottom Line

The supposed Erika Kirk lawsuit against ABC and The View never happened. It’s a perfect example of how fake legal news can spread rapidly through social media, especially during emotionally charged periods.

More importantly, this case highlights why we all need to be more careful about how we consume and share legal news. In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, taking a moment to verify sources and check claims isn’t just good practice—it’s essential.

Real legal news involves verifiable facts, multiple sources, and professional journalism. Fake legal news relies on sensational claims, emotional manipulation, and the hope that people will share first and fact-check later.

The next time you see a story about a shocking lawsuit or explosive legal development, remember the Erika Kirk case. Take a moment to check the source, look for corroborating reports, and ask yourself: does this seem too convenient or sensational to be true?

Your future self—and everyone in your social media network—will thank you for it.

About This Investigation: This article was researched and fact-checked by the AllAboutLawyer.com legal news team using official court records, verified fact-checking sources, and established media reports. We specialize in investigating legal misinformation and providing accurate legal news analysis.

For more insights into employment law, media litigation, and legal news verification, explore our comprehensive guides on wrongful termination claims and employment contract reviews.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions, please consult with a qualified attorney.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD

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.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah

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