NBCUniversal is set to face a defamation trial after a federal judge ruled that Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, and Chris Hayes made “verifiably false” claims about a Georgia doctor accused of performing unnecessary hysterectomies on immigrant detainees. The judge’s decision to proceed with the trial stems from accusations that the MSNBC anchors, alongside NBC News reporters, knowingly reported uncorroborated allegations from a whistleblower.
In 2020, nurse Dawn Wooten alleged that Dr. Mahendra Amin performed “mass hysterectomies” on women at an ICE facility in Georgia. Her claims, though shocking, were based on hearsay and lacked concrete evidence. Despite this, NBC News published the story, and MSNBC broadcast segments amplifying the allegations. “NBC investigated the whistleblower letter’s accusations; that investigation did not corroborate the accusations and even undermined some; NBC republished the letter’s accusations anyway,” wrote Judge Lisa Godbey Wood in a scathing 108-page ruling.
The ruling highlights internal communications that reveal doubts among NBCUniversal staff. Christopher Scholl, NBCUniversal’s deputy director of standards, expressed concerns about Wooten’s credibility. “She has no direct knowledge of what she’s claiming, is unable to name the doctor involved, and we are unable to verify any of it,” Scholl noted. Despite these reservations, the story was published, prompting a Senate investigation that ultimately found no evidence to support Wooten’s claims.
Rachel Maddow, who initially questioned the validity of the reports, still covered the story on her show, quoting detainees and Wooten’s dramatic accusations. “When I met all these women who had had surgeries, I thought this was like an experimental concentration camp,” Maddow reported. The sensational coverage drew widespread attention and further fueled public outrage.
Dr. Amin, who has denied performing unnecessary procedures, sued MSNBC for $30 million, seeking to clear his name. The Senate probe concluded that the hysterectomies performed by Amin were medically necessary, contradicting the explosive allegations made by the whistleblower and subsequently broadcast by MSNBC.
This case is the latest in a series of challenges for MSNBC, which has faced criticism for its aggressive coverage of various issues during the Trump administration. As the trial approaches, and as the presidential election gears up, the network’s credibility and journalistic standards are continue to be closely watched. “I look forward to trial, and the opportunity to hold MSNBC accountable for their actions,” said Scott Grubman, Amin’s attorney.
The defamation trial, which will scrutinize the network’s handling of the story and the extent of its editorial oversight, is poised to be a pivotal moment for MSNBC and its parent company, NBCUniversal.
