Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic Lawsuits: How They Could Shape the 2024 Election
As the 2024 election approaches, voting machine companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic find themselves heading back to court. These lawsuits are likely to bring forth new evidence and involve allies of former President Donald Trump. While the accusations of election rigging made by Trump allies and conservative media outlets lack evidence of significant voter fraud, both Dominion and Smartmatic have filed defamation lawsuits against various parties, including Fox News, Newsmax, Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Lindell, and MyPillow.
In the upcoming year, more than 10 lawsuits will play out in courtrooms across the country. These legal battles have the potential to depose former Trump aides and allies, reveal the origins of false claims about a rigged election, and constantly remind voters of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results as he seeks a second term.
How Dominion’s Lawsuit Against Fox News Exposed Internal Communications
One of the most prominent cases is Dominion’s defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Fox Corporation. This lawsuit grabbed headlines for months and ended with a settlement of $787.5 million. Throughout the litigation process, thousands of pages of depositions and internal communications were made public. These documents revealed that many Fox News journalists viewed Trump’s claims of a stolen election with skepticism. They also exposed a key source behind Sidney Powell’s fraud allegations as a woman who claimed to communicate with the wind and possess time-travel abilities. Furthermore, private communications unveiled that Tucker Carlson, a popular conservative TV host, privately expressed his dislike for Trump.
This case serves as a preview for what’s to come, as similar Conspiracy theories and their consequences for democracy take center stage again. RonNell Andersen Jones, a First Amendment specialist and professor at the University of Utah College of Law, notes the significance of these ongoing lawsuits.
The Trials That Could Impact the 2024 Election
Smartmatic v. Mike Lindell and MyPillow
Mike Lindell, known for selling pillows through infomercials, has become a vocal election denier. Smartmatic has sued Lindell and MyPillow in Minnesota court, accusing them of defamation and deceptive business practices. The lawsuit seeks damages and a retraction of Lindell’s false claims about the U.S. election being stolen through rigged Voting machines. The case could reach open court as early as April 1, potentially making evidence public this month.
Smartmatic v. Newsmax Media
Smartmatic has also filed a defamation lawsuit against Newsmax Media, a conservative network and competitor of Fox News. The trial is scheduled to begin on June 3, 2024, in Delaware. Dispositive motions may be filed in late February, shedding light on the evidence involved.
Dominion Voting Systems v. Newsmax Media
Dominion’s $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Newsmax is set to go to jury trial on September 30, 2024, in Delaware. Judge Eric Davis, who presided over Dominion’s Fox News suit, will oversee this case as well. Filings for dispositive motions must be made by July 18, and they are expected to generate significant media attention.
Smartmatic v. Fox News
Smartmatic’s massive $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Fox Corporation alleges that the network portrayed the company as the villain in the story of Election fraud and damaged their reputation and business. Although the trial is not expected until 2025, major filings could occur before the election.
Read More of this Story at www.nbcnews.com – 2023-12-07 11:00:00
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