Joe Rogers’ reaction to the verdict of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial was captured during an episode of his podcast. Rogers was joined by UFC Bantam Champion Aljermain Sterling, who discussed the highly anticipated conclusion of the Deb versus Amber trial. The Virginia jury ruled that Depp defamed her ex-husband, awarding her 15 million in damages and 2 million in compensatory damages.
Rogers fully supports Depp, much to the disappointment of those who thought his win would ruin the progress made by the Metoo movement.
Rogers expressed his disapproval of Depp’s financial burden and his belief that Amber Heard is insane and a liar. He also praised Depp’s lead attorney, Camille Vasquez, for his incredible job representing the actor. Rogers also criticized Amber’s legal team, stating that they were incompetent and dealing with a clear sociopath and liar.
The verdict was announced on June 1st, and Rogers’ reaction to the verdict highlights the ongoing legal battle between the two Hollywood stars.
Social media reactions to the verdict against Amber Heard in the MeToo movement have been mixed, with some expressing concern for the future of the movement. Amber called the verdict a setback for women everywhere, as it sets back the idea that violence against women should be taken seriously. Roger, a tough-talking commentator, has always been a supporter of Depp, and in one recent episode of his podcast, he discussed the trial with Tony Hinchcliffe. He added that Depp’s win was deserved and not even the supporters of the MeToo movement should challenge it.
MeToo founder Tarana Burke defended the trial result, stating that it has not sabotaged the movement after depp’s victory against his ex-partner in their sensational defamation suits. She also highlighted that the movement is still alive, with millions of people who have never been able to utter the words “It happened to me” releasing the shame that wasn’t theirs to carry.
Some sections of the public have blamed Depp for taking the woman’s fight for freedom back to the drawing board, but according to Burke, justice shouldn’t be selective. In this case, the black mass star deserved to win. Depp’s victory did not come from a criminal trial but from a civil case about a newspaper op-ed in the Washington Post in 2018. Amber wrote an op-ed titled “I spoke up against sexual violence and faced our culture’s wrath that has to change.”
Depp’s supporters argue that his victory represents not the end of the MeToo movement but an expansion of the movement, as he is not Amber who is the true domestic violence victim. They argue that his victory breaks down the stigma against men identifying as abuse victims, as seen with Captain Jack Sparrow’s testimony of being a victim of domestic violence.
The narrative goes on to suggest that the hashtag “believe women hashtag” is a necessary corrective to the trend, as it is not to believe all women but to believe all victims, including male victims. The hashtag has been a significant part of the movement, with many fans rallying behind their friend, Marilyn Manson, who was accused of abuse by Evan Rachel Wood.
The Drive Away star, Amber Depp, has been accused of violent behavior towards Johnny Depp, with evidence suggesting she admitted to hitting him at least once. The Me Too movement has encouraged employees to report sexual misconduct, but Amber’s legal position suggests she had nothing to gain from making the allegations against Depp. Her counsel argued they must be true, but this feature of the movement was problematic. Amber’s legal position was that she had nothing to gain from making the allegations, and her hands did not appear clean.
During the trial, Amber presented details of her marriage to Depp, but her claims of domestic violence were overshadowed by her own stories of abuse and orchestrating her op-ed. After deliberation for 13 hours, the jury found Amber acted with actual malice and was no longer an ambassador of domestic or sexual violence. The trial decision, which is subject to appeal, will cast all future Men Too allegations in a negative light, setting victims back and making them think twice about coming forward.
The Me Too movement has ended, and Depp deserved to win the defamation case as he did. The trial decision will cast all future allegations in a negative light, making victims think twice about coming forward.