Fox News Coverage of Fani Willis Backfires

A body language expert brought on air by Fox News to assess Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said that during her hearing in Georgia on Thursday she was "all confidence."

The Context

Expert Tonya Reiman told host Laura Ingraham that Willis looked like someone "used to being in front of an audience," as she gave testimony in a hearing to determine if she should be disqualified from the Donald Trump election interference case.

Newsweek has approached Fox News for comment via email outside of working hours.

What We Know

Trump and 18 other defendants are facing racketeering charges in connection with alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in a case brought by Willis and her team. He denies the charges and says they are politically motivated.

Co-defendant Michael Roman says in a legal filing the case should be thrown out because a relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade was a conflict of interest. Willis denies any wrongdoing.

Roman's attorney Ashleigh Merchant has sought to prove that Willis and Wade benefited financially from taxpayers' money and should be removed from the case. On Thursday, Willis repeatedly accused Merchant of lying about the details of her relationship with Wade.

"You're confused," Willis said. "You think I'm on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020."

Roman has issued new claims saying Wade and Willis' relationship began earlier than they said it had.

Robin Yeartie, a former employee and friend of Willis, said Wade and Willis' relationship began in 2019. Willis says it began in 2021 and that a physical relationship would have not occurred during 2020 because of Wade's cancer diagnosis.

Willis added that the "physical relationship was over pre-indictment," referring to the criminal charges brought against Trump in August last year.

Views

Reiman said Willis had "very strong body language when it comes to being direct and forthcoming," during her testimony.

Similarly, some social media users agreed that Willis appeared confident.

"Fani was a boss lady," one user wrote on X. "She dominated that court room!"

Another user added: "It's hilarious to watch Laura Ingraham's facial expressions when she realizes that this body language expert is not going to give the narrative that she wants."

"I don't think that's what Laura wants to hear," one user said. "Too bad."

But others on social media said they felt Willis' court appearance was not as strong.

"We're witnessing the implosion of Fani Willis," one person wrote.

Another person said "Willis just lost her composure," in the court.

Trump has called the Georgia election case a "humiliating embarrassment" and said it should be "immediately terminated and permanently erased from everyone's memory."

Writing on his Truth Social media platform on Thursday, Trump said: "I can't believe the Georgia State Judiciary, or the Governor, can be happy about this humiliating embarrassment... The stench of what has happened should shame Georgia no longer. It should get back to GREATNESS, and FAST!!!"

Newsweek has approached Willis' office for comment via an email to Fulton County outside of working hours.

What's Next?

Willis is due to resume her testimony at 9:00 a.m. local time.

If Judge Scott McAfee removes Willis from the case then her office would be disqualified from it. Another prosecutor could take it up or it could be dropped completely.