What You Say on Social Media Can Be Costly

June 1, 2023
KELLI ROBERTS

Social media—a platform where fury can be kindled, and tales spun within seconds, sometimes without a second thought. But, as Adria Rae and Gianna Dior recently discovered, unverified accusations and unchecked fury can lead to serious financial repercussions. The duo now face a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit filed by Emily Willis for their public proclamations of alleged unspeakable acts by Emily Willis.

Adria Rae was compelled to issue an apology on Twitter—an apology which has since been removed—acknowledging her hasty dissemination of information without verifying its authenticity.

This scenario, though, isn’t limited to porn stars on social media.

Tasha K, a YouTuber known for her provocative content, also finds herself in the throes of a financial quandary. Following the loss of her second appeal in a defamation lawsuit, she now owes Cardi B a staggering $4.25 million, leading her to declare bankruptcy.

In a seemingly strategic attempt to circumvent this massive payment, Tasha K sought refuge in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. As delineated in her court submission, her financial standing is in a dire state, reportedly insufficient to service her debt to the renowned rapper.

Tasha K’s declared assets, amounting to less than $60,000, include a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, two Louis Vuitton handbags, a scanty $95 in her bank account, and her contentious YouTube platform, “UnWineWithTashaK,” whose exact value remains undetermined. This move came on the heels of Cardi B’s legal team garnishing Tasha’s Google account, previously holding a mere $10,000.

This bankruptcy filing marks Tasha K’s third attempt to liberate herself from the substantial financial burden. In January 2022, a jury found her liable on multiple counts, including defamation, invasion of privacy, portrayal in a false light, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, leading to a payout order of $1.25 million in damages and an additional $3 million for punitive damages and legal fees.

Despite two failed appeals, with the first dismissed on jurisdictional grounds and the second deemed invalid due to Tasha K and her team’s failure to present their argument before the trial judge, the YouTube personality continues to navigate through the labyrinth of bankruptcy. As this saga unfolds, observers are left pondering whether this latest development could offer her a lifeline from her hefty financial obligation.

In the throes of this controversy, let’s revisit the definition of defamation. A defamatory statement is one presented as a fact that tarnishes someone’s reputation, thereby leading to possible legal recourse by the person defamed. Defamation can be either slander, an oral defamatory statement, or libel, a written or published one. It’s important to note that truth is often a solid defense against defamation; a statement, if proven true, typically cannot be deemed defamatory.

However, the confounding reality of social media is this: even when armed with the truth, are you willing to spend a small fortune to defend yourself? It’s an uncomfortable truth about our digitally connected era: you may be right, but at what cost are you willing to defend that truth?