Did Larry Flynt's parody of Jerry Falwell damage the preacher's reputation?

Answer 1

Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell, 485 US 46 (1988)

No. Jerry Falwell was a well-known public figure who had already established a reputation for himself prior to Hustlerpublishing the subjectively offensive parody suggesting Falwell lost his virginity to his mother in a drunken encounter in the family outhouse. The "ad" was so preposterous, no reasonable person, friend or foe, would believe it true.

Falwell's supporters were understandably outraged, but never wavered in their trust. In fact, Falwell paid his legal expenses with donations from members of the Moral Majority, viewers of Old Time Gospel Hour, and private sources.

Some of Falwell's detractors may have been amused (or disgusted), but already had such a low opinion of the preacher the parody would have had no discernible impact. Falwell was a polarizing figure, so there were few people who hadn't already formed an opinion of him by the time the magazine hit newsstands. His reputation was undamaged.

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