Newsmax, the right-wing cable channel, has recently agreed to pay a substantial $67 million to settle a libel lawsuit initiated by Dominion Voting Systems. The lawsuit stemmed from Newsmax's false assertions that the voting machine company had rigged votes during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The settlement deal, finalized on August 15, was made public through a filing with the SEC by Newsmax.
According to the filing, Newsmax will fulfill the payment in three installments, with the final payment due by January 15, 2027. A spokesperson for Dominion confirmed the settlement, expressing satisfaction with the resolution, stating, “We are pleased to have settled this matter.” In contrast, Newsmax refrained from issuing an apology, asserting in a statement that it stands by its coverage as “fair, balanced, and conducted within professional standards of journalism.” A representative from Newsmax mentioned that the settlement did not obligate the company to issue an apology or retraction.
In 2021, Dominion Voting Systems filed a significant lawsuit against Newsmax for $1.6 billion. The lawsuit accused the cable channel of deliberately broadcasting conspiracy theories that falsely implicated Dominion in election fraud and vote rigging. Dominion claimed that Newsmax disseminated 18 false statements on television, along with a misleading social media post. These statements included false claims that Dominion’s software manipulated vote counts, alleged ties to a Venezuelan company, and accusations of providing kickbacks to certain government officials.
In April 2023, Judge Eric M. Davis of the Delaware Superior Court ruled that Dominion had presented “clear and convincing evidence” proving that the statements made by Newsmax were both false and defamatory. This ruling permitted the case to advance toward a trial phase, where a jury would determine whether Newsmax had knowingly broadcast these false claims and assess the extent of damages owed to Dominion. Although the trial was initially scheduled for earlier this year, it faced postponements.
As we approach nearly five years since the controversial 2020 election, a wave of litigation pertaining to the broadcasting of false claims is nearing resolution. In April 2023, Fox News reached a settlement with Dominion, agreeing to pay $787.5 million to resolve a separate defamation lawsuit concerning the network's extensive promotion of conspiracy theories falsely linking Dominion to election interference.
Additionally, Newsmax had settled a similar case with another voting technology company, Smartmatic, for $40 million in September. However, several legal battles remain unresolved. Fox News is currently facing a $2.7 billion lawsuit from Smartmatic, which is set to proceed to trial in a Manhattan state court unless a settlement is reached. Fox has publicly stated its willingness to defend itself in court, criticizing Smartmatic's damages claims as efforts to "chill First Amendment freedoms."
