A court document allegedly disclosed to The New York Times regarding Fox News’ recent explosive settlement with Dominion Voting Systems indicates that the network attempted to “move on” from former President Donald Trump after his election loss.

Fox News agreed to pay Dominion a record $787.50 for defamation, but the settlement did not include an apology to the voting election software company.

“Fox settled with Dominion over charges that Fox News baselessly accused the company of rigging its voting machines against former President Donald Trump in 2020. It was the most-watched media libel case in decades,” The Associated Press reported, adding that through various financial mechanisms such as insurance coverage and tax deductibility, the network isn’t likely to actually pay the full amount.

Becker News reports that former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), who joined Fox News’ board of directors after leaving Congress, “has become quite influential with” the network’s leadership. The disclosed document indicates that “Ryan was a major factor in the network’s decision to move on from Donald Trump.”

“As a Board Member, Ryan believed that the period immediately following the 2020 Presidential Election ‘was a pretty important inflection point, not just for the company Fox, but for the country and for the conservative movement itself,’ and shared this ‘view as a fiduciary’ with Rupert and Lachlan,” the document notes, going on to cite an exhibit.

“Ryan told Rupert and Lachlan ‘that Fox News should not be spreading conspiracy theories,’” it stated.

The filing goes on to describe Ryan’s involvement in discussions regarding how the network could best cover the aftermath of the 2020 election and claims of pervasive vote fraud, which ultimately turned out to be unproven.

“On December 6 , 2020, Paul Ryan texted Rupert and Lachlan, telling them, we are entering a truly bizarre phase of this where [Trump] has actually convinced himself of this farce and will do more bizarre things to delegitimize the election,” the document says. “I see this as a key inflection point for Fox, where the right thing and the smart business thing to do line up nicely.”

“Ryan told Dias about his own conversation with Rupert and Lachlan, reporting he told them that ‘this is a huge inflection point to keep Trump down and move on for the future of the conservative movement.’ Ryan added: ‘Both Rupert and Lachlan agree fully. The key is to execute our collective will,’” the document added.

Following the settlement, the network severed ways with two prominent personalities, including Fox’s highest-rated host.

Dan Bongino announced a mutual decision to depart the network last week, citing an inability to reach an agreement on a new contract. But on Monday, the network delivered the bombshell announcement that it was parting ways with Tucker Carlson, whose primetime program has been a ratings king for the network.

More on this story via Conservative Brief:

Monday evening, The Daily Beast reported that the departures came at the behest of Fox Corp CEO Lachlan Murdoch and Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott.CONTINUE READING…