Newsmax settlement with Dominion

Newsmax agrees to pay Dominion 67 million to resolve defamation claims tied to coverage of the 2020 election

Newsmax pays 67 million to settle Dominion election lies

Newsmax has agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems a total of 67 million to settle defamation claims tied to its coverage of the 2020 election. The payout breaks down as 27 million this month and 40 million over the next two years, avoiding a high-stakes trial that could expose more details about the network’s reporting and guests.

A Delaware judge had previously ruled that Newsmax aired defamatory statements by accusing Dominion of rigging the election, with damages to be determined by a jury if the case had gone to trial. The deal mirrors a broader pattern in which other outlets settled high-profile voting misinformation cases, including Fox News and Smartmatic, signaling a shift in how defamation cases may be resolved outside court. Newsmax’s ratings are roughly a tenth of Fox’s, a factor in settlement considerations and public interest.

The settlement marks a clear penalty for spreading false claims about a national process. It highlights that media outlets face real financial consequences when misinformation crosses into defamation, even without a formal on-air apology.

Yet settlements also raise questions about public accountability. Without an explicit correction or apology, audiences may view the outcome as a financial transaction rather than a renewed commitment to accuracy. The case suggests publishers must weigh legal exposure against the freeflow of political commentary and guest appearances.

Highlights

The cost of misinformation is rising and the impact will be felt in newsroom practices