Most defamation cases brought by public official or public figure plaintiffs are won by the defendant,because the plaintiff was unable to prove:

A) damages due to defamation.
B) actual malice.
C) defendant made the statements.
D) the actual statements were untrue.

Actual Malice

A legal standard used primarily in libel and defamation lawsuits, indicating that a statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.

Public Official

An individual holding an office or position of authority in a government organization, responsible for making decisions and implementing policies affecting the public.

Defamation

The act of communicating false information that harms the reputation of an individual or group, which can be categorized as libel (written) or slander (spoken).