Ray J Defamation Trial Set
Judge Allows Kardashian-Jenner Defamation Case Against Ray J to Proceed, Citing Flawed ChatGPT Defense
Key Points
The court explicitly criticized Ray J's reliance on ChatGPT as a basis for believing Kardashian and Jenner were involved in racketeering, stating that artificial intelligence was not a trustworthy or reliable source of legal advice at the time and that a jury could reasonably find malice based on the evidence.
Ray J's separate breach-of-contract claim over the 2003 sex tape has been sent to private arbitration, separating that dispute from the defamation case as the court handles both matters.
Kardashian and Jenner argued there was no federal RICO investigation or case against them, a point the defamation case has centered around as Ray J alleged racketeering commentary.
The defamation trial is scheduled for March 6, 2028, with some reporting indicating May 2028 in related rulings, underscoring scheduling complexity across linked cases.
Ray J’s attorney told TMZ that they will promptly appeal the ruling, arguing a First Amendment protection for his opinions and warning that the appeal could freeze proceedings, potentially delaying a trial to 2028 or later.
A Los Angeles judge has refused to let Ray J escape a defamation lawsuit brought by Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, clearing the case for a 2028 trial. Rolling Out reported that the court denied Ray J's motion to dismiss claims that he falsely portrayed the pair as targets of a federal racketeering investigation.
The ruling is a sharp setback for Ray J, whose legal name is William Ray Norwood Jr. The judge found that a reasonable person could read his comments as statements of fact — not mere opinion — keeping the defamation claim alive, according to That Grape Juice.
Ray J's Racketeering Claims Backfire in Court
The lawsuit centers on statements Ray J made during a Twitch livestream and a TMZ special. Kardashian and Jenner say he falsely claimed they were under a federal RICO — or racketeering — investigation. There was no such investigation, their lawyers argued. The court agreed that the claim deserved a jury's attention.
Ray J argued his comments were hypothetical or made off-camera. The judge was not convinced. Unresolved questions about whether Ray J knew his livestream was still active — and whether his words crossed the line from opinion to fact — will now go before a jury, Head Topics reported.
Judge Slams Ray J's Use of ChatGPT as Legal Research
One of the most striking moments in the ruling involved artificial intelligence. Ray J reportedly cited ChatGPT as a reason he believed Kardashian and Jenner were involved in racketeering. The judge rejected that outright. The court said AI was not a trustworthy or reliable source of legal advice and that a jury could reasonably find Ray J acted with malice.
That finding matters because defamation cases require plaintiffs to prove the defendant either knew a statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. By questioning Ray J's reliance on ChatGPT, the court signaled his belief in the racketeering claim may not hold up under scrutiny, according to Yahoo News.
Sex Tape Contract Dispute Sent to Private Arbitration
The defamation case is not the only legal fight between these parties. Ray J also filed a breach-of-contract claim tied to a 2003 sex tape. That dispute has been sent to private arbitration, separating it from the defamation trial, The Blast reported.
The split means two separate legal battles are now running on different tracks. The sex tape contract fight will play out behind closed doors, while the defamation claims head toward a public courtroom showdown.
Trial Set for 2028 — But an Appeal Could Delay Everything
The defamation trial is currently scheduled for March 6, 2028. Some related rulings point to May 2028, reflecting the complexity of linked cases, according to Head Topics. Either way, the legal fight is far from over.
Ray J's attorney told TMZ they plan to appeal the ruling promptly. The lawyer argued Ray J's comments were protected opinion under the First Amendment. An appeal could freeze the proceedings entirely, potentially pushing the trial even further into the future, That Grape Juice noted.
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