Beverly Enterprises, Inc. Donald L. Dotson v. Rosemary Trump Service Employees International Union Local 585

OPINION OF THE COURT

STAPLETON, Circuit Judge:

This diversity-based defamation action arises from statements allegedly made by a union representative about a company official during two separate incidents, one at a political rally and another at a “Town Hall meeting.” The District Court dismissed the plaintiffs’ complaint after finding the comments at the rally incapable of defamatory meaning and the Town Hall meeting comment protected under the doctrine of absolute testimonial immunity. Although for somewhat different reasons, we will affirm.

I

There is a long-standing and acrimonious…