OAN Apologizes, Retracts False Claims About Cohen-Daniels Affair

The far-right news network One America News (OAN) retracted an article and apologized for spreading false claims about Michael Cohen’s alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels, who both denied the allegations in last month’s piece. OAN claimed that the relationship between Cohen and Daniels was a years-long one and suggested it led to Trump being “extorted” by his former lawyer during the 2016 presidential election campaign through hush money payments. The retraction follows similar cases where right-wing media outlets have faced consequences for spreading disinformation, including OAN’s recent settlement with Smartmatic over false claims about voting technology companies rigging elections against Trump. Cohen hired attorney Justin Nelson after the article was published last month and stated that “the whole hush money scheme was cooked up” by Cohen is beyond absurd.” The retraction from OAN did not include a financial payment, but its speed in settling with Cohen suggests potential peril for further defamation lawsuits. An attorney representing OAN didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the retracted article and pending Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against them over promoting false election claims.