Newsmax Media has reached a $67 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, resolving a high-profile defamation lawsuit originally seeking $1.6 billion. The dispute centered on Newsmax’s broadcast claims that Dominion’s voting machines manipulated the 2020 U.S. presidential election results.
Settlement Terms and Timing
Newsmax will pay the settlement in three installments:
- $27 million—already paid upon agreement
- $20 million due in January 2026
- Another $20 million due in January 2027
Newsmax Statement and Market Reaction
Although the case will not proceed to trial, Newsmax maintains that its election coverage was fair and balanced. The company criticized the presiding judge in Delaware for bias, arguing it was denied a fair opportunity to defend itself.
Following the announcement, Newsmax’s stock rose approximately 5% to $12.75 per share.
Context: A Wider Legal Landscape
This settlement echoes prior defamation cases involving major media outlets. Fox News settled a similar Dominion lawsuit in 2023 for $787.5 million—a record-setting defamation payout. Additionally, Newsmax previously reached a $40 million settlement with Smartmatic, another voting technology company.
Implications for Media and Politics
The resolution of this lawsuit reflects mounting legal and financial repercussions for news channels that aired false claims about the 2020 election. It underscores the growing scrutiny facing media organizations over election misinformation and highlights the legal risks of defamation in political coverage.
