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11th Circuit Overturns $8.2M Verdict Against Senate Majority PAC

4/25/2026

35 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Circuit Court Overturns

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an $8.2 million defamation verdict against Senate Majority PAC on April 24, 2026.
The panel found former Alabama judge Roy Moore, a public figure, failed to prove actual malice because the PAC’s conduct amounted only to negligent error.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Branch wrote the opinion, granted summary judgment for the PAC, and Moore’s lawyer said they may appeal to the Supreme Court.

Summary

11th Circuit Vindicates

The 11th Circuit decided Moore v. Senate Majority PAC on 4/24/26.
Judges Frank M. Hull, Jill A. Pryor, Elizabeth L. Branch authored the opinion.
Ezra Reese, Elias Law Group attorney, said ruling vindicated PAC and phrasing errors unchanged.
Elias Law Group and Dominick Feld Hyde PC defended the PAC.
Moore, of the Foundation for Moral Law and Wittenbrink Law Firm, had a 2003 removal and a 2017 suspension.

History

Historical Context

In 1964 the U.S. Supreme Court, in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, established the actual-malice standard, requiring public officials to prove that false statements were published with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard. On April 24 2026 the Eleventh Circuit applied that rule, granting summary judgment to Senate Majority PAC in Moore v. Senate Majority PAC, finding no actual malice.

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Circuit Court Overturns

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an $8.2 million defamation verdict against Senate Majority PAC on April 24, 2026.
The panel found former Alabama judge Roy Moore, a public figure, failed to prove actual malice because the PAC’s conduct amounted only to negligent error.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Branch wrote the opinion, granted summary judgment for the PAC, and Moore’s lawyer said they may appeal to the Supreme Court.

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