What is usually required to support a defamation claim?

To support a defamation claim, one essential requirement is that a false statement is made to someone other than the person being defamed. This means that for defamation to occur, the statement must not only be untrue but also communicated to a third party, which can damage the reputation of the individual in question. This principle is foundational in defamation law, as it emphasizes that the injury to reputation arises from the dissemination of the false information to others, not just the statement itself or the victim of the statement.

The other options either involve true statements or lack the necessary element of being communicated to a third party, which is critical in establishing the defamation claim. Thus, the focus on a false statement conveyed to an external party is central to proving that defamation has taken place.