A federal jury in Miami ruled in favor of rapper Megan Thee Stallion in her defamation lawsuit against blogger Milagro Cooper on Monday. The jury found Cooper liable for defamation and ordered her to pay Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, $75,000 in damages.

The case stemmed from Cooper's alleged dissemination of harmful online content, including a sexually explicit deepfake video. This video violated a new Florida law that allows lawsuits over manipulated images. During the trial, Pete testified that Cooper's actions created a hostile environment where people felt free to make negative comments about her, particularly regarding a 2020 shooting incident involving rapper Tory Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson.

Lanez was convicted of shooting Pete in the foot and is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. Pete described the emotional toll of the ordeal, stating it made her feel as though "her life was not worth living." She also claimed that the deepfake video severely impacted her mental health and career, leading to the loss of at least four music contracts valued at approximately $1 million each. Pete revealed that she underwent a four-week therapy program costing $240,000 due to her struggles with hopelessness.

After the verdict, Pete expressed her relief, saying, "I'm just happy." Cooper also shared her feelings about the outcome, thanking the jurors and stating, "I'm happy it's over."

Despite the jury's decision, Pete may only receive about $59,000 of the awarded damages. This reduction is due to the jury's classification of Cooper as a media defendant, which required Pete to send a cease and desist letter before filing the lawsuit. Since this letter was not sent, the defamation claim was weakened, according to Cooper's defense attorney, Jeremy McLymont. The jury's verdict indicated that at least $16,000 would be deducted from the total amount awarded, accounting for punitive damages and other factors related to the case.

The trial concluded after both women testified multiple times, with closing arguments wrapping up on November 26. The case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding misinformation and the impact of social media on public figures.