2020 election claims cost Newsmax $40 million

In 2021, the Smartmatic voting company initiated legal action against the US right-wing news channel Newsmax. Smartmatic accused Newsmax of repeatedly issuing false allegations that Smartmatic rigged the 2020 election in favor of Joe Biden and was supported by foreign dictators. In response, Newsmax argued, in part, that they were merely reporting on newsworthy allegations of fraud.

Smartmatic also contended that Newsmax benefited financially from making these erroneous claims. President Trump amplified Newsmax's reporting on social media, leading to a tenfold increase in the broadcaster's audience post-election, surpassing cable news rivals such as CNBC and Fox Business.

Fox News and One America also held responsible

Fox News had previously agreed to a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over similar defamation claims, marking what legal experts have described as the largest defamation settlement by a U.S. media company in history.

Additionally, Smartmatic reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit against One America News Network. A separate case against Fox News remains ongoing, with a trial anticipated next year.

(Michael Leahy. Source: Reuters, Deadline et al. Photo :