Idaho Blogger Appealing Defamation Verdict Over Drag Performer Claims

Conservative blogger Summer Bushnell faces skepticism from Idaho Supreme Court judges over her arguments.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:18am

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A warm, cinematic painting of a solitary laptop computer on a wooden table, with diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the legal battle over online misinformation.The court battle over online misinformation and its real-world consequences continues, as a conservative blogger appeals a substantial defamation verdict.Lewiston Today

A conservative Idaho blogger named Summer Bushnell is appealing a $1.1 million defamation verdict against her for falsely accusing a drag performer named Eric Posey of exposing himself during a Pride event in Coeur d'Alene. Bushnell, who owns the far-right blog 'The Bushnell Report', claimed Posey exposed his genitals to children, but a police investigation found Posey was fully clothed and the video was edited. The Idaho Supreme Court judges appeared skeptical of Bushnell's arguments, with one calling her responses 'word salad' and noting the case seemed to be about 'telling lies' to hurt someone's reputation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between conservative activists and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as the potential consequences for those who spread misinformation and defamatory claims online. It also raises questions about the role of the courts in addressing harmful speech and protecting vulnerable individuals from harassment and reputational damage.

The details

In 2022, Bushnell published a video of Posey performing at Coeur d'Alene's Pride in the Park event, with Posey's crotch area blurred out, implying he had exposed himself to children. This post went viral in conservative circles. However, a police investigation found that Posey was fully clothed during the performance and the video had been edited. In 2024, a North Idaho jury ordered Bushnell to pay over $1.1 million in damages to Posey, who said he lost his job and experienced severe emotional distress due to the false claims.

  • In 2022, Bushnell published the defamatory video of Posey.
  • In 2024, a North Idaho jury ordered Bushnell to pay over $1.1 million in damages to Posey.
  • On April 11, 2026, Bushnell appealed the jury verdict to the Idaho Supreme Court.

The players

Summer Bushnell

A conservative Idaho blogger who owns the far-right blog 'The Bushnell Report' and was ordered to pay over $1.1 million in damages for defaming drag performer Eric Posey.

Eric Posey

A drag performer who was falsely accused by Bushnell of exposing himself to children during a Pride event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Wendy Olson

The attorney representing Eric Posey in the defamation case against Bushnell.

Gregory Moeller

An Idaho Supreme Court justice who expressed skepticism towards Bushnell's arguments during the appeal hearing.

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What they’re saying

“The allegations in this case of modifying a video and lying about its contents and publicizing it sound pretty serious. Help me understand why it's not as serious as the jury thought it was.”

— Gregory Moeller, Idaho Supreme Court Justice

“Trials are quests for truth. This is a case that's about allegedly telling lies about someone to hurt their reputation, and then you file documents that are filled with untruths because of the sources that you filed. It just seems to me that everything about this case has been to divert the jury, divert the judges or to divert the public, for that matter, from truth. And you put those things all together in this case and it just doesn't look good.”

— Gregory Moeller, Idaho Supreme Court Justice

What’s next

The Idaho Supreme Court will issue a ruling on Bushnell's appeal at a later date.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between conservative activists and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as the potential consequences for those who spread misinformation and defamatory claims online. It also raises questions about the role of the courts in addressing harmful speech and protecting vulnerable individuals from harassment and reputational damage.