• Newsmax to pay $67 million to settle Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit.
• The lawsuit stemmed from false claims about election fraud relating to the 2020 Presidential election.
• Settlement amounts will be paid in three installments over several years.
• Judge ruled that Newsmax had defamed Dominion but left malice and damages to be decided by a jury.
• Similar claims have resulted in settlements against other media outlets, including Fox News.

Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit over false claims that the company rigged the 2020 election against President Donald Trump. This settlement was disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, indicating that $27 million was paid immediately, with the remaining funds distributed over the following years in $20 million installments due in January 2026 and 2027, according to NPR.

The defamation claims arose from Newsmax's broadcasts that falsely claimed Dominion's voting machines manipulated vote counts in favor of Joe Biden. A Delaware judge had previously ruled that these statements were defamatory, but left the decision on malice and damages for a jury trial that was scheduled to take place in October, as reported by ABC News and CBS News.

Newsmax’s statement on the settlement expressed that it did not believe it would receive a fair trial, citing perceived bias from the Delaware Superior Court. The company indicated that it stood by its coverage, claiming its reporting was fair and within acceptable journalistic standards. As stated by HuffPost and Le Monde, Newsmax described a pattern of judicial rulings that they felt disadvantaged their ability to defend against the allegations.

This legal development is part of a larger trend, as similar allegations have led to substantial payouts by other media organizations. For instance, Fox News previously settled with Dominion for $787.5 million in 2023. The consequences of these lawsuits underscore the ramifications that arise from disseminating information deemed defamatory. Newsmax's internal communications revealed that they were aware of the dubious nature of the claims being presented, with one host questioning, "How long are we going to play along with election fraud?" according to South China Morning Post and The Hill.

In conjunction with this settlement announcement, former President Trump reiterated his long-standing claims regarding mail-in ballots and questioned the integrity of various voting machines, positioning himself to eliminate such practices ahead of future elections. This showcases the persistent political narrative surrounding voting integrity issues stemming from the 2020 Presidential election, as reported by Al Jazeera.