Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Kevin O'Leary claims Wonder Valley critics are Chinese agents on Fox Business
Issue disclosure
On May 11, 2026, Kevin O'Leary said on Fox Business that he was under attack by Chinese agents, attributing a surge of online criticism following county approval of his Wonder Valley data center project to China, reading out the names of critics, and saying he had his guys dig into IP addresses. About six weeks later, O'Leary posted a note clarifying that he has no evidence that Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, Taylor Knuth or Josh Kanter are funded by China or the Chinese Communist Party, and Fox News Media apologized for the error.
Company response
Clarification — Kevin O’Leary
Recently I appeared on various news programs and would like to clarify that I have no evidence that Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, Taylor Knuth or Josh Kanter are funded by China or the Chinese Communist Party.
Apology — Fox News Media
Fox News Media apologizes for the error.
Source excerpt
Ever since the three county commissioners unanimously approved his data center the week before, O’Leary had observed a sudden increase in people mad at him online.
Fox News Media apologizes for the error.
he asked Bartiromo. “There’s only one: It’s China.”
2020
WASHLITE sues Fox News over coronavirus coverage
Lawsuit filed
The Washington League for Increased Transparency and Ethics sued Fox News, alleging that the network disseminated false information minimizing the danger of COVID-19; the suit characterized the conduct as unfair and deceptive trade practices. Fox News called the lawsuit "Wrong on the facts, frivolous on the law" and said it would defend vigorously.
Company response
Denial — Fox News Media
The conservative outlet fired back—in a statement provided to The Daily Beast, and attributed to Lily Fu Claffee, Fox News Media’s general counsel—that WASHLITE’s lawsuit is “Wrong on the facts, frivolous on the law.”
Denial — Fox News Media
A statement from Fox News Media denied any wrongdoing.
Source excerpt
Fox News’ misinformation about the coronavirus has come back to haunt it via a lawsuit that specifically cites Sean Hannity and Trish Regan’s attempts to downplay the pandemic as “willfully and maliciously” disseminating misinformation that represents “unfair and deceptive trade practices.”
The conservative outlet fired back—in a statement provided to The Daily Beast, and attributed to Lily Fu Claffee, Fox News Media’s general counsel—that WASHLITE’s lawsuit is “Wrong on the facts, frivolous on the law.”
Smartmatic, which is based in London, said Trump’s lawyers and the Fox News anchors presented false conspiracy theories and accusations about the company’s role in the election that damaged its reputation.
Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit