Newsmax Settles Smartmatic Defamation Lawsuit Over 2020 Election Claims

Newsmax Media has reached a confidential settlement in a lawsuit brought by Smartmatic, the voting machine maker that alleged it was defamed by Newsmax’s false claims that its machines were rigged to steal the 2020 US presidential election from Donald Trump, Tom Hals reported for Reuters.

Smartmatic's lawsuit claimed Newsmax profited from its false reporting, with Trump amplifying its coverage on social media, leading to a significant increase in the network’s audience. I Image: Molly Butler, Media Matters

The agreement came just before the start of a four-week jury trial, with opening arguments scheduled for Sept. 30 in Wilmington, Delaware.

“Newsmax is pleased to announce it has resolved the litigation brought by Smartmatic through a confidential settlement,” the company said in a statement.

Smartmatic also expressed satisfaction with the deal, stating, “Lying to the American people has consequences. Smartmatic will not stop until the perpetrators are held accountable.”

Smartmatic sued Newsmax in 2021, alleging the network spread damaging misinformation that falsely claimed its machines switched votes, were hacked, and were funded by corrupt dictators.

The lawsuit claimed Newsmax profited from its false reporting, with Trump amplifying its coverage on social media, leading to a significant increase in the network’s audience.

Smartmatic's machines were used only in Los Angeles County in the 2020 election, and the company has stated that its equipment has recorded billions of votes, largely in non-US elections, without any security breaches.