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DENVER — August 18, 2025 — Conservative news outlet Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, marking a significant legal consequence for the network’s role in spreading false claims about the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
The settlement, disclosed in a regulatory filing on Monday, resolves allegations that Newsmax knowingly aired baseless conspiracy theories linking Dominion’s voting machines to election fraud following President Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden. The lawsuit was set to go to trial later this year, but both parties reached an agreement before proceedings began.
⚖️ Legal Background and Settlement Terms
Dominion filed the suit in 2021, accusing Newsmax of defamation for repeatedly broadcasting claims made by Trump allies—including attorneys Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani—that Dominion’s machines were rigged to favor Biden. Internal communications revealed during pre-trial discovery indicated that Newsmax executives were aware the claims were false but continued to air them.
The $67 million settlement will be paid in installments through January 2027. While significantly lower than the $1.6 billion Dominion initially sought, the agreement is among the largest defamation settlements in U.S. media history, following Fox News’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion in 2023.
🗣️ Statements from Both Parties
In a statement, Newsmax maintained that its coverage was “fair and balanced,” but acknowledged the need to resolve the dispute:
“Newsmax believed it was critically important for the American people to hear both sides of the election disputes that arose in 2020,” the company said. “We stand by our coverage as conducted within professional standards of journalism.”
Dominion expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the settlement reinforces accountability for media organizations that disseminate false information.
📉 Broader Implications for Media and Misinformation
The case underscores the growing legal and financial risks faced by media outlets that promote unverified or false claims. It also reflects a broader effort to hold broadcasters accountable for their role in shaping public perception during critical democratic processes.
Newsmax previously settled a separate defamation case with voting technology firm Smartmatic for $40 million in 2024. Combined, Dominion has now secured over $850 million in settlements related to election misinformation.
As misinformation continues to challenge democratic institutions, legal experts say these cases may serve as precedent for future litigation involving media responsibility and truth in reporting.
