Bradlee Dean, a heavy-metal preacher (yes, that’s a thing), has filed a defamation suit against Rachel Maddow and MSNBC that seeks a modest $50 million in damages. Dean’s fury at Maddow stems from her August 9, 2010 show, on which she spoke about Dean and his ministry, You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International. The segment involved Maddow playing a clip of Dean saying this:
Then Maddow read the disclaimer he attached to that statement, clarifying that he “will never call for the execution of homosexuals” himself.
All of this was too much for Dean, who says Maddow’s ridicule and the implication that his disclaimer was disingenuous damaged both his business and his reputation. For that, he believes he is owed $50 million. MSNBC, on the other hand, believes the “suit is baseless.”
Maddow sued for defamation [Politico]
Heavy metal preacher sues Rachel Maddow for defamation [EW]
