Newsmax Settles Defamation Lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $67 Million

In a significant legal development, Newsmax has announced a $67 million settlement to resolve a defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, related to its coverage of former President Trump’s allegations around the 2020 election. This lawsuit accused Newsmax of disseminating conspiracy theories about the integrity of electronic voting machines.

Background on the Lawsuit

Dominion, which manufactures voting systems, initiated the lawsuit in 2021, demanding $1.6 billion in damages for the alleged defamation. The company claims that Newsmax, along with other outlets, falsely suggested that its voting equipment had switched votes from Trump to Biden during the election.

Key Details of the Settlement:

• Total Settlement Amount: $67 million
• Payment Schedule:
  • $27 million was paid last Friday.
  • An additional $20 million by January 15, 2024.
  • The remaining $20 million will be paid on or before January 15, 2027.

The settlement agreement was disclosed in a recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Newsmax.

Newsmax’s Defense

Despite settling the lawsuit, Newsmax has been adamant that it did not engage in defamation:

"Newsmax has always maintained that its reporting was not defamatory and that its coverage was consistent with accepted journalistic standards," the outlet stated in a released statement.

They attributed the decision to settle to concerns over receiving a fair trial in Delaware, where the judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in previous cases.

Claims of Impediments in Court

Newsmax’s statements highlighted their belief that Judge Eric Davis exhibited bias against them, limiting their ability to present a robust defense. Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, asserted:

"The actions taken against Newsmax, and earlier against Fox News, represent a direct attack on free speech and a free press."

Following this sentiment, Newsmax has advised businesses incorporated in Delaware to consider relocating, revealing their own transition to Florida.

Similar Cases in Media

This settlement follows a related high-profile case where Fox News agreed to pay $787 million to Dominion for similar allegations. The legal pressures on media outlets regarding their coverage of the 2020 election have raised concerns about journalistic freedom.

Ongoing Legal Battles

In addition to the Dominion case, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a prominent figure in promoting election fraud theories, continues to face a defamation lawsuit from Dominion. Earlier this year, a federal jury ruled against Lindell in a separate case, mandating him to pay $2.3 million for defaming a former Dominion official.

Conclusion

The $67 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems reinforces the complex intersection between media freedom and legal accountability. With the ongoing scrutiny of news outlets and the intricacies of election-related claims, the ramifications of this case will likely resonate throughout the media landscape.

For more information, consider visiting Dominion Voting Systems or Newsmax.