He lost his reputation in the court of public opinion.
court of public opinion
idiomThe news media and the public at large, seen as being able to deliver a judgement on someone in the manner of a judge.
Even though the law found him innocent, he still suffered in the court of public opinion.
The politician struggled to defend his controversial actions, knowing that the court of public opinion had already decided his fate before the investigation concluded.
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air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
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air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
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go public
To make something public; to announce publicly or to the press.
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have the ball in one's court
Alternative form of the ball is in someone's court.
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hold court
To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.
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horseback opinion
An opinion given without thorough consideration or a firm basis, often used in a casual or speculative way.
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John Q. Public
A generic individual; some hypothetical average or ordinary citizen.
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kangaroo court
A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group of people which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, and often acts abusively or decides unjustly.