In a significant legal and financial settlement, Newsmax Media, Inc. has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems to resolve a defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that Newsmax falsely claimed Dominion rigged the 2020 U.S. presidential election against former President Donald Trump.
The Background of the Case
Dominion Voting Systems initially filed the lawsuit in 2021, seeking $1.6 billion in damages. The company claimed that statements made during Newsmax’s coverage of the 2020 presidential election were defamatory and misleading. Dominion argued that these statements damaged its reputation and caused harm to its business operations.
In April 2025, Judge Eric M. Davis of the Delaware Superior Court ruled that Dominion had presented “clear and convincing evidence” to support its claims that Newsmax’s statements were false. The court concluded that these statements could lead viewers to view Dominion unfavorably if they were unaware of the truth.
Details of the Settlement
The terms of the settlement, revealed in an SEC filing, state that Newsmax will pay the $67 million in three installments:
- $27 million on August 15, 2025
- $20 million on or before January 15, 2026
- $20 million on or before January 15, 2027
Newsmax released a statement defending its coverage of the 2020 election, emphasizing the importance of covering both sides of the election disputes. The company stated it remains committed to fair and balanced journalism.
Comparisons with Other Cases
This settlement follows a similar case involving Fox News in April 2023, where Fox agreed to pay $787.5 million to Dominion to settle a defamation lawsuit. These cases highlight the significant financial and reputational consequences faced by media companies for spreading false narratives.
The Implications of This Settlement
Newsmax’s settlement underscores the importance of journalistic integrity and accuracy in reporting. It serves as a reminder to media outlets to fact-check information before broadcasting or publishing claims that could damage critical institutions or organizations. As legal battles like this continue to shape the media landscape, maintaining trust with viewers will be essential for long-term success.
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