Thu Sep 26 13:00:03 UTC 2024: ## Newsmax Faces Jury Trial for Defamation Claims Tied to 2020 Election

**Wilmington, Delaware** – Jury selection begins today in a defamation case filed by election technology company Smartmatic against right-wing news channel Newsmax. The trial marks the latest legal battle stemming from false claims about the 2020 US presidential election, echoing the landmark Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News case, which settled for $787.5 million last year.

Smartmatic, which provided voting services in just one California county during the 2020 election, was thrust into a whirlwind of conspiracy theories alleging election fraud. Newsmax, a pro-Trump channel, is accused of promoting these baseless claims, linking Smartmatic to vote-switching schemes that supposedly benefited Joe Biden.

Newsmax claims it was merely reporting allegations made by Donald Trump and his allies, arguing the lawsuit threatens press freedom. However, Smartmatic insists Newsmax’s “repeated lies” are the central issue, aiming to hold the channel liable for damages.

The case hinges on proving Newsmax acted with “actual malice,” knowingly disseminating false information about Smartmatic. Smartmatic cites numerous instances of Newsmax hosts making unfounded claims, such as linking the company to Dominion through “shell companies” and alleging its creation in Venezuela by Hugo Chavez.

The trial, overseen by the same judge as the Fox-Dominion case, is expected to last up to four weeks and will include testimony from Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy and former White House press secretary Sean Spicer. While the judge ruled out punitive damages, he deemed Newsmax’s claims about Smartmatic altering votes “factually false.”

Newsmax, however, insists its reporting didn’t cause Smartmatic damages and highlights a Justice Department investigation and indictment of Smartmatic executives for an alleged bribery scheme. The company argues these events had a more significant impact on Smartmatic’s reputation than Newsmax’s reporting.

This trial presents a crucial test of media accountability for knowingly disseminating falsehoods. The outcome will have significant implications for other similar cases involving Dominion and Newsmax, as well as other media outlets accused of spreading misinformation surrounding the 2020 election.

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