Johnny Depp Trial: Has He Changed the #MeToo Game?

As a matter of law, Johnny Depp’s defamation suit against Amber Heard strikes me as ridiculous and damaging to his own interests. Depp’s reputation has been severely harmed by the many degrading and salacious revelations about their marriage in the two trials he caused to occur, first two years ago in London and now this spring in Virginia.

I don’t see how a jury could possibly find Heard committed defamation for accurately stating, in a 2018 Washington Post essay that didn’t even discuss Depp, “Two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse.” But it strikes me now that Depp isn’t really trying to win a legal case. He’s trying to win in the court of public opinion.

About the Author

Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is the film critic for the Wall Street Journal.

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As a matter of law, Johnny Depp’s defamation suit against Amber Heard strikes me as ridiculous and damaging to his own interests. Depp’s reputation has been severely harmed by the many degrading and salacious revelations about their marriage in the two trials he caused to occur, first two years ago in London and now this spring in Virginia.

I don’t see how a jury could possibly find Heard committed defamation for accurately stating, in a 2018 Washington Post essay that didn’t even discuss Depp, “Two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse.” But it strikes me now that Depp isn’t really trying to win a legal case. He’s trying to win in the court of public opinion.