Newsmax Reaches $67 Million Settlement in Dominion Defamation Case

Conservative media outlet Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems. The case centered on Newsmax’s role in spreading false claims about the 2020 presidential election.

The settlement follows similar outcomes in related litigation. Fox News paid $787.5 million in 2023, while Newsmax previously reached a $40 million agreement with Smartmatic, another voting technology company targeted by election conspiracy theories.

Judge Eric Davis of Delaware Superior Court had already ruled that Newsmax defamed Dominion by airing false allegations about its voting machines. A jury trial was scheduled to determine whether the network acted with malice and to set damages. The settlement was reached before the case advanced to that stage.

Court documents and internal communications revealed that Newsmax staff and executives were aware the fraud claims lacked evidence. Despite this, the network continued to feature voices pushing baseless conspiracy theories, including high-profile Trump allies, as part of its post-election coverage. Employees raised internal concerns, but the outlet saw an opportunity to attract viewers by refusing to recognize Joe Biden’s victory.

Newsmax eventually retracted some of the most extreme claims, including theories linking Dominion to foreign governments, but only after the narratives had gained significant traction.

The settlement comes amid broader fallout from the 2020 election misinformation campaigns. Trump and his allies lost numerous court cases challenging the results, including cases before judges he appointed. Recounts and audits across multiple states repeatedly confirmed Biden’s win. Officials across the political spectrum, including members of Trump’s own administration, affirmed that there was no evidence of widespread fraud.

Since returning to office, Trump has pardoned individuals charged in connection with the January 6th attack and has used federal authority to target institutions and law firms that challenged his election claims. One executive order attempted to block Susman Godfrey, the firm representing Dominion, from federal contracts. A federal judge halted the order, calling it an abuse of power.

The Newsmax settlement adds to a series of costly legal outcomes for media organizations that amplified falsehoods about the 2020 election, reinforcing the financial and legal consequences of promoting baseless conspiracy theories.