Newsmax Settles Smartmatic Defamation Lawsuit Over Election Lies on Eve of Trial

Winston Cho

26 September 2024 at 4:38 pm·1-min read

Newsmax has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by Smartmatic over false claims the right-wing news channel aired during the 2020 presidential election.

The deal was reached on Thursday after jury selection started. Terms of the agreement, which averts a trial scheduled to start with opening statements next week, weren’t disclosed.

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“Newsmax is pleased to announce it has resolved the litigation brought by Smartmatic through a confidential settlement,” the company said in a statement.

In a lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court in 2021, Smartmatic accused Newsmax of promoting lies that the company helped rig the election by switching votes. It alleged that Newsmax aimed to draw viewers from Fox News, which had seen its ratings at the time dip after former President Donald Trump denounced the network for calling Arizona for Joe Biden.

“Newsmax knew it had a story that was getting people to tune in to its shows, so Newsmax ran the story night after night,” the complaint stated. “Newsmax knew it was a lie the whole time.”

Smartmatic continues to pursue a similar defamation lawsuit against Fox News, with damages estimated at $2.7 billion. Trial is slated to start next year.

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