In a significant legal move, Smartmatic USA has settled its defamation lawsuit against the conservative news network Newsmax, stemming from false allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. The settlement was reached just as jury selection was set to begin in Delaware.
Details of the settlement have not been disclosed, but Smartmatic expressed satisfaction with the resolution. Their statement emphasized a renewed focus on ongoing litigation against Fox News and Fox Corp.
“Lying to the American people has consequences,” the statement from Smartmatic noted, reiterating their commitment to accountability in the face of misinformation.
Ongoing Legal Battles Over 2020 Election
This case is part of a broader series of lawsuits regarding unfounded claims of election fraud, which have permeated the media landscape since 2020. In a notable case earlier this year, Dominion Voting Systems reached a $787.5 million settlement with Fox News just before trial.
Furthermore, Smartmatic is pursuing legal action against Fox News in New York, while a separate lawsuit against Newsmax is still ongoing in Delaware.
In previous settlements, Smartmatic also resolved a case against One America News Network, with details of that settlement remaining private.
Implications of Recent Developments
The substantial settlement with Fox highlighted the seriousness of the false claims perpetuated by the network. The presiding judge previously ruled that Fox News had knowingly defamed Dominion, leaving only the issue of damages for the jury to decide.
Judge Eric M. Davis, overseeing both the Smartmatic and Newsmax cases, restricted Smartmatic’s claims for punitive damages, emphasizing a lack of evidence for malicious intent on the part of Newsmax.
The allegations against Smartmatic emerged from numerous broadcasts in late 2020, where hosts and guests incorrectly associated the company with conspiracy theories regarding vote manipulation.
Despite operating only in Los Angeles County during the election, Smartmatic faced numerous accusations. Notably, Newsmax personalities amplified unfounded claims regarding the company and its software capabilities, referencing controversial Trump legal adviser Sidney Powell.
By the end of 2020, Newsmax had begun airing disclaimers asserting no evidence linked Smartmatic to any electoral manipulation, along with retractions related to earlier claims.
Future Legal Outlook
In its legal filings, Newsmax has denied any wrongdoing. However, recent pre-trial discussions suggested a potentially embarrassing defense strategy for the network. Legal representatives noted confusion regarding the distinction between Smartmatic and Dominion.
With a significant shift in Smartmatic’s valuation amid legal scrutiny, coupled with indictments against several company officials, the likelihood of favorable outcomes in court appeared challenging. These factors may also influence ongoing litigation against Fox News.
A spokesperson for Fox Media commented on the settlement, criticizing Smartmatic’s claims as unsupported and aimed at stifling First Amendment rights, while affirming their readiness to defend their position in court.
