Because Imus is Imus and known for parodying all manner of public figures, her good name and reputation were never in jeopardy until the slip, trip and fall lawyer highlighted her and made HER the issue instead of Imus.
The big problem for them is the multiple definitions problem. “Ho” is a common term within the Black community. It means much more than prostitute, and in most cases, does not mean prostitute at all.
I.e. Bitch does not necessarily mean a female dog, a nasty woman, an unmarried mother, to complain, etc. “Brother” has many more meaning than than a male sibling.
All Imus has to do is establish one non-slanderous meaning and it all falls.