Defamation Case Against Newsmax Set to Go to Trial
The latest chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding false claims about the 2020 U.S. presidential election is set to unfold in a courtroom. On Thursday, jury selection is anticipated to commence in a significant defamation case filed by Smartmatic, an election technology firm, against the right-wing news outlet Newsmax. This lawsuit echoes the high-profile Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox News case, which concluded last year with a staggering settlement of $787.5 million just moments before opening statements were scheduled to begin.
Smartmatic, a company that gained little recognition prior to the 2020 election, provided voting services solely in Los Angeles County, California, during the election period. However, alongside Dominion, it became embroiled in a torrent of unfounded conspiracy theories regarding election fraud. These theories were propagated by supporters of then-President Donald J. Trump across various cable news channels and other platforms, aiming to undermine the legitimacy of the election results.
In a lawsuit lodged in Delaware Superior Court in 2021, Smartmatic accused Newsmax, a pro-Trump cable channel headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, of deliberately trying to attract viewers away from its competitor, Fox News. This was allegedly accomplished by broadcasting reports that falsely associated Smartmatic with unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, suggesting that the company had manipulated the election in favor of Joseph R. Biden Jr. by altering vote counts.
Newsmax has responded to the allegations by asserting that it was simply reporting on claims made by Trump and his allies regarding the election outcome. The network characterized the lawsuit as a direct threat to both free speech and the freedom of the press, raising concerns about the implications of such legal actions on journalistic practices.
- Key Players: Smartmatic and Newsmax.
- Context: Echoes the Dominion vs. Fox News lawsuit.
- Accusations: Newsmax linked Smartmatic to baseless voting fraud claims.
- Free Speech Concern: Newsmax defends its reporting as a matter of free expression.
