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Defense of Rhetorical Hyperbole: How Is it Being Used (or Overused) in Today’s Polarized Environment

Date: May 13, 2021

Courts have long considered whether statements made in the context of heated political debate are protected as rhetorical hyperbole. Recent cases stemming from opinion shows hosted by partisans like Rachel Maddow, and on platforms such as Twitter, have seen the rhethorical hyperbole defense take on new prominence. Have these cases gone too far?

Courts have long considered whether statements made in the context of heated political debate are protected as rhetorical hyperbole. Recent cases stemming from opinion shows hosted by partisans like Rachel Maddow, and on platforms such as Twitter, have seen the rhethorical hyperbole defense take on new prominence. Have these cases gone too far?