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Newsmax settles Dominion defamation case for 67 million

Newsmax will pay 67 million to settle a defamation lawsuit over coverage of Dominion Voting Systems tied to the 2020 election.

August 18, 2025 at 05:58 PM
blur Newsmax agrees to pay $67M in defamation case over 2020 election claims

Newsmax agrees to a 67 million settlement in a defamation suit over coverage of Dominion Voting Systems tied to the 2020 election.

Newsmax pays 67 million to settle Dominion defamation case

Newsmax will pay 67 million dollars to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems over false claims about the company’s equipment during the 2020 election. Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis had ruled Newsmax defamed Dominion by airing unfounded allegations and left it to a jury to decide if malice was shown and how much damages should be awarded; the settlement ends the case before trial. The disclosure came in an SEC filing, noting the deal was reached the prior Friday. The case follows Fox News Channel’s 787.5 million dollar settlement in 2023 and Newsmax’s earlier 40 million dollar agreement with Smartmatic, another voting machine manufacturer linked to similar conspiracy theories.

Newsmax argues its coverage presented multiple viewpoints about the 2020 disputes and cites professional standards. Dominion praised the settlement, saying it brings a close to a long legal process. The article also places the deal in a wider pattern of media outlets facing liability for spreading misleading election claims, including internal communications showing awareness of the untruth of many assertions and tensions between business incentives and journalistic accuracy. It notes that some figures connected to the coverage, including guests and staff, warned against repeating false claims, while others pursued a narrative that supported Trump’s stance on the election results.

Key Takeaways

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Settlement shifts risk away from courts and onto newsroom practices
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Internal documents suggest awareness of untruths in coverage
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Dominion secures accountability without a trial outcome
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Public trust hinges on verifiable reporting and clear corrections
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Media companies face rising pressure from investors and policymakers
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The cases set a precedent for future election coverage accountability

"Newsmax believed it was critically important for the American people to hear both sides of the election disputes that arose in 2020."

Newsmax statement cited in the SEC filing

"How long are we going to play along with election fraud?"

Bob Sellers, Newsmax host, in internal communications cited in the case

"CRYSTAL clear that none of the allegations was true."

Judge Davis describing the core claims against Dominion

"Dominion was pleased to have settled the lawsuit."

Dominion spokesperson reacting to the settlement

This settlement underscores how media liability is becoming a real budget risk for networks that amplified misinformation. It highlights the growing expectation that outlets must verify dramatic claims or face legal consequences that can reshape their bottom line and credibility. The case also exposes a broader tension in the news business: the pressure to cater to a skeptical audience while maintaining factual reporting. The outcome may push newsrooms to tighten editorial controls and fact‑checking, even as audiences migrate toward partisan or sensational content.

The decision to settle rather than go to trial avoids a public courtroom fight that could reveal more internal thinking about coverage. That secrecy can shield strategic mistakes, but it also risks eroding public trust if settlements are perceived as shortcuts around accountability.

Highlights

  • Truth should be journalism's north star, not a budget line item
  • Settlements rarely erase the marks of misinformation
  • Money changes the channel but not the facts
  • Media accountability is a test for democracy

Political and reputational risk from defamation settlements

The settlement touches on politically sensitive election misinformation, potentially inviting public backlash and regulatory scrutiny while raising questions about media accountability and investor confidence in newsroom practices.

Truth remains a mutual project between newsrooms and the public they serve.

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