Megan Thee Stallion Lawsuit, Rapper Sobs On Stand Over AI Deepfake Porn—Jury Verdict Coming Monday
Jury deliberations resume Monday morning after 5.5 hours of debate on whether blogger Milagro “Milagro Gramz” Cooper defamed Megan Thee Stallion and promoted AI-generated deepfake porn showing the rapper in explicit sex acts. Megan broke down testifying about $240,000 in therapy costs and suicidal thoughts after Cooper allegedly coordinated with imprisoned rapper Tory Lanez to destroy her reputation. The Miami federal jury broke for Thanksgiving on November 27, 2025, but will return December 2 to decide if Cooper owes millions in damages.
Breaking Development (November 27, 2025): Jurors asked multiple questions during deliberations, including queries about the Florida deepfake porn statute and where Megan was when she saw the AI video. Legal experts suggest these questions indicate serious consideration of all three claims: defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promotion of altered sexual depictions.
What Is The Megan Thee Stallion Lawsuit About?
Megan Thee Stallion sued Milagro Cooper on October 29, 2024, in Miami federal court for defamation, cyberstalking, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promoting AI-generated pornographic deepfakes. The Grammy winner alleges Cooper ran a coordinated campaign with Tory Lanez to punish her for testifying he shot her in July 2020.
This makes the case one of the first high-profile tests of state laws criminalizing deepfake pornography distribution under Florida Statutes Section 836.105, enacted in 2024. Unlike traditional defamation requiring proof of actual malice, the deepfake claim only requires proving Cooper knowingly promoted fabricated sexual content.
The cyberstalking charge was dropped before trial, leaving three active claims for the jury to decide.
The Parties: Who’s Suing Who?
Plaintiff: Megan Pete (Megan Thee Stallion)
- Grammy-winning rapper
- Legal name: Megan Pete
- Shot by Tory Lanez in July 2020
- Testified in his criminal trial in December 2022
Defendant: Milagro Elizabeth Cooper (Milagro Gramz)
- Online commentator and blogger
- Hosts “Mobz Radio” on Stationhead
- 38 years old
- Built following covering hip-hop controversies
- Had 20,000+ followers when the deepfake incident occurred
Key Figure (Not Named as Defendant): Daystar Peterson (Tory Lanez)
- Canadian rapper currently serving 10-year prison sentence
- Convicted December 2022 of shooting Megan
- Sentenced August 2023 to 10 years without parole
- Conviction upheld on appeal November 2024
- Held in contempt of court earlier this month for failing to answer questions during deposition in this case
The Three Legal Claims Explained
Claim 1: Defamation
Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga ruled in February 2025 that Cooper’s statements qualified as “defamation per se” because they could be interpreted as accusations of perjury, mental incapacity, and alcoholism.
Specific statements the jury is evaluating:
- Cooper’s December 21, 2022 tweet suggesting Megan was a “non credible witness”
- Statement to DJ Akademiks that she “could go down the list of all the different shit that was not true” from Megan’s testimony
- Tweet asking “Was Megan Thee Stallion caught trying to deceive the courts again?”
The judge found Cooper made a “compelling case” that the blogger acted with “reckless disregard for the truth.”
Claim 2: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Megan’s former manager Travis Farris testified therapy costs totaled $240,000. Megan testified she felt “defeated” and struggled with mental health issues because of the deepfake video Cooper promoted.
During emotional testimony, Megan revealed she contemplated suicide: “There was a time that I genuinely didn’t care if I lived or died. I felt like no way I mattered. I’m tired of waking up. I just wanted to die.”
Claim 3: Promotion of Altered Sexual Depiction (Florida’s New Deepfake Law)
In June 2024, Cooper liked a post on X (formerly Twitter) that included an AI-generated video of Megan, then posted “Go to my likes,” which prosecutors say encouraged followers to watch the deepfake.
During opening statements, Megan’s attorney showed the explicit 45-second video to the jury, apologizing for having to display it but stating “you need to see it to understand what Milagro Cooper promoted.”
Cooper testified she thought the video was real and directed followers to it because “sex tapes are something of the public interest.”
Case Timeline: From Shooting To Federal Trial
July 12, 2020: Tory Lanez shoots Megan Thee Stallion five times in Hollywood Hills, hitting both feet with bullet fragments requiring surgery
August 2020: Megan publicly names Lanez as shooter; online conspiracy theories begin spreading on social media
February 2021: Cooper has three-way call with Lanez and his father Sonstar Peterson, who later becomes a “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
February 2025: Judge Altonaga denies Cooper’s motion to dismiss, ruling she does not qualify as a “media defendant” protected by First Amendment shields for journalists
June 10, 2025: Federal judge issues gag order barring both parties from publicly discussing case
August 2025: Court holds evidentiary hearing revealing Cooper deleted tens of thousands of text messages, including messages with Lanez and his father, after receiving letter ordering her to preserve evidence
October 9, 2025: Judge sanctions Cooper for evidence destruction
November 12, 2024: California appeals court upholds Lanez’s conviction
November 17, 2025: Trial begins with jury selection in Miami federal court
November 20-21, 2025: Megan testifies emotionally about trauma and suicidal thoughts
November 25-26, 2025: Cooper testifies for hours about her relationship with Lanez’s family and her coverage decisions
November 26, 2025: Closing arguments conclude; jury begins deliberations
November 27, 2025: After 5.5 hours, jury breaks for Thanksgiving with no verdict
December 2, 2025 (Upcoming): Jury returns to resume deliberations
What Happened During The Explosive Trial
Megan’s Testimony: “I Just Wanted To Die”
An emotional Megan told the court she feels “defeated” and struggles with mental health issues because of the sexually explicit deepfake video Cooper allegedly encouraged followers to watch.
She revealed she was in the back of her tour bus when she first saw the AI-generated pornographic video. In seeking a stalking injunction against Cooper in February 2025, Megan said she was so depressed she contemplated suicide, “pushing me to the point where I didn’t feel like making music anymore.”
One of Megan’s music producers testified the controversy cost her major business opportunities. Financial records show Megan lost brand deals in 2020 following the shooting incident and Cooper’s alleged defamatory posts.
Cooper’s Defense: “A New Form Of Journalism”
Cooper testified for hours, defending her style of reporting as “a new form of journalism.” She broke down on the stand, saying she is financially broke and unable to pay her defense team.
Cooper admitted to receiving $3,000 from Tory Lanez’s father but said the payment was for promotions for other projects and her children’s birthday and winter clothes. She denied being paid to attack Megan.
When asked what she would do if she found out conclusively that the shooting happened as the jury found, Cooper said: “I know she was hurt, and I hate that she was hurt. I truly do,” but defended her coverage by citing her mother’s incarceration and concerns about wrongful convictions of Black men.
Cooper also testified that she thought the AI video of Megan was real.
The Evidence Destruction Controversy
During an August evidentiary hearing, digital forensics expert Matias Livachof testified that tens of thousands of text messages were deleted from Cooper’s phone, including messages with Lanez and his father.
The deletions occurred after Megan sued Cooper, with some deleted texts sent on October 30, 2024—one day after Cooper received a letter ordering her to preserve all electronic communications.
Cooper couldn’t explain why messages from Sonstar Peterson appeared in her recently deleted folder, claiming she sometimes deletes messages before trips to make space on her phone.
How Much Money Is At Stake?
Megan’s attorney suggested to the jury that compensatory and punitive damages could reach at least $30 million, urging jurors to “punish the living daylights out of people who ruin it for everyone.”
The lawsuit seeks “compensatory damages, punitive damages, statutory damages, attorney’s fees, costs, interest, and all other damages as are just and proper.”
Damages would compensate for:
- $240,000 in therapy costs
- Lost brand deals and business opportunities
- Emotional distress and mental health treatment
- Reputational harm to career
- Punitive damages to deter future conduct
Cooper testified she is “negative $10,000” in her bank account and worried about feeding her children while paying legal expenses.
Cooper’s Failed Motion To Dismiss
U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga rejected Cooper’s dismissal motion in February 2024 in a 25-page order stating Cooper does not qualify as a “media defendant,” so Megan’s lawyers were not required under Florida law to notify her of a potential libel action before suing.
The judge said Cooper’s statements “go beyond casual name-calling” and that “a reasonable person could interpret Defendant’s statements as accusations of perjury, mental incapacity, and alcoholism,” making them “actionable as defamation per se.”
Cooper’s attorneys argued that some statements were “substantially true” while others were “clearly opinion and/or rhetorical hyperbole and therefore not actionable.” The judge disagreed.
What The Jury Must Decide
The nine-person jury (five men, four women) must answer specific questions for each claim:
For Defamation:
- Did Cooper make false statements about Megan?
- Were the statements defamatory (harming reputation)?
- Did Cooper act with actual malice (knowing falsity or reckless disregard)?
- What damages should Megan receive?
For Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress:
- Was Cooper’s conduct extreme and outrageous?
- Did Cooper intend to cause emotional distress?
- Did Megan suffer severe emotional distress?
- What damages should Megan receive?
For Promotion of Altered Sexual Depiction:
- Did Cooper knowingly promote a digitally altered sexual depiction?
- Was the depiction of an identifiable person (Megan)?
- Did Cooper act willfully and maliciously?
- What statutory damages should be awarded?
During deliberations, jurors asked questions about identifying specific exhibits, the location of content in recordings, and where the Florida deepfake statute applies.
Why This Case Matters Beyond Celebrity Drama
Judge Altonaga wrote the allegations “depict a campaign, not journalism,” establishing that online commentators cannot shield themselves from defamation lawsuits through First Amendment protections typically afforded to media.
Three Major Legal Implications:
- Deepfake Porn Liability: This is among the first cases testing Florida’s 2024 law criminalizing promotion of AI-generated sexual content. A verdict for Megan could empower other victims to sue those who share deepfakes.
- Social Media Influencer Accountability: The case clarifies that bloggers and commentators with large followings face defamation liability even if they claim to be practicing journalism.
- Coordinated Harassment Campaigns: The jury must determine whether Cooper “provides disinterested and neutral commentary, rather than advocacy for a particular client or personal interest”—a question that could reshape how courts treat paid or coordinated online campaigns.
Megan’s Other Ongoing Legal Battle
Separate from the Cooper defamation case, Megan’s former photographer Emilio Garcia filed an amended lawsuit in January 2025 alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation, adding ten claims to his original misclassification complaint.
New allegations include an incident at a New York City strip club in February 2022, claims of being shamed for eating during Megan’s diet, and witnessing sexual acts involving Megan in a car in Ibiza, Spain in June 2022.
Megan’s attorneys denied these claims, describing them as irrelevant to the core wage, labor and employment dispute. That case remains pending.
What Happens Next?
Immediate Next Steps:
- Jury returns Monday, December 2, 2025 at 9 a.m.
- Deliberations resume until verdict is reached
- If jury finds for Megan, they’ll determine damage amounts for each claim
Possible Outcomes:
If Megan Wins:
- Cooper owes compensatory damages (potentially millions)
- Punitive damages to punish and deter
- Cooper may have to publicly retract statements
- Sets precedent for deepfake porn promotion liability
- Encourages other celebrities to sue over coordinated defamation
If Cooper Wins:
- Reinforces broad First Amendment protections for online commentary
- May make it harder for public figures to sue bloggers and influencers
- Could embolden critics to make aggressive claims about celebrities
- Megan likely appeals on deepfake promotion claim
If Mixed Verdict:
- Jury could find for Megan on some claims but not others
- Deepfake claim easiest to prove (doesn’t require actual malice)
- Defamation claim harder (public figure must prove actual malice)
- Both sides likely appeal unfavorable rulings
Given Cooper’s financial situation and potential multi-million-dollar judgment, bankruptcy could complicate any payment to Megan.
FAQ: Megan Thee Stallion v. Milagro Cooper
Q: When will the jury reach a verdict?
The jury returns Monday, December 2, 2025 to resume deliberations. No deadline exists for reaching a verdict—they deliberate until unanimous decision or deadlock.
Q: How much money could Megan Thee Stallion win? Her attorney suggested at least $30 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The final amount depends on what the jury awards for each claim if they find Cooper liable.
Q: What is the Florida deepfake porn law?
Florida Statutes Section 836.105, enacted in 2024, imposes civil penalties for individuals who knowingly promote or distribute AI-altered sexually explicit images of identifiable persons. It doesn’t require proving actual malice—only that Cooper knowingly promoted fabricated sexual content.
Q: Is Tory Lanez involved in this lawsuit?
Lanez is not named as a defendant but was asked to give a deposition ahead of trial. He was held in contempt of court for failing to answer questions during the deposition. Megan alleges Cooper coordinated with Lanez to defame her.
Q: Can Cooper afford to pay if she loses?
Cooper testified she is financially broke with a negative $10,000 bank account balance and unable to pay her defense team. If Megan wins a multi-million-dollar judgment, Cooper may file for bankruptcy, making collection difficult.
Q: Why was the cyberstalking claim dropped?
The cyberstalking claim was removed before trial began, leaving only three claims: defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promotion of altered sexual depiction. Court documents don’t specify why it was dropped.
Q: What did the jury ask about during deliberations?
Jurors asked questions about identifying specific exhibits, where something appeared in a recording, the Florida deepfake statute’s application, and where Megan was when she saw the video. These questions suggest they’re carefully considering all evidence.
Q: Can this verdict be appealed?
Yes. Whichever side loses will likely appeal. Appeals focus on legal errors, not re-examining evidence. Appeals could take 1-2 years to resolve.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about the Megan Thee Stallion lawsuit based on official court documents, verified news sources, and publicly available information current as of November 28, 2025. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions about this case or its implications, please consult with a qualified attorney. Always verify current case status and developments through official court records and verified news sources. The jury is currently deliberating and no verdict has been reached as of publication.
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.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah