Newsmax to Pay $67M in Dominion Defamation Settlement

Newsmax to Pay $67 Million to Dominion in Defamation Settlement

The echoes of the 2020 presidential election continue to reverberate across America’s media and political landscape. This week, conservative cable network Newsmax agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems, settling a long-running defamation lawsuit tied to false claims that the company helped rig the election.

The deal makes Newsmax the latest media outlet to pay a heavy price for broadcasting baseless conspiracy theories about voter fraud — stories that energized millions of viewers but undermined public trust in democracy.

How the Settlement Was Structured

According to court filings, Newsmax will pay Dominion $27 million immediately, followed by $40 million spread over the next two years.

While the financial burden is significant, especially for a smaller network with ratings far below Fox News, the settlement spares Newsmax from a high-profile trial that could have exposed damaging internal emails, testimony, and behind-the-scenes decision-making.

There will be no on-air apology, no prime-time retraction, and no sweeping editorial overhaul — at least publicly. Instead, the network expressed relief to have “put the matter behind it,” while Dominion described the deal as “a step toward accountability.”

Dominion’s Ongoing Legal Battles

Dominion Voting Systems, once an obscure elections-technology firm, became a household name after the 2020 election, when former President Donald Trump and his allies repeatedly claimed without evidence that Dominion machines “flipped votes” in favor of Joe Biden.

Those accusations sparked harassment campaigns against Dominion employees, security threats, and a storm of lawsuits.

The company has responded with an aggressive legal strategy, filing multi-billion-dollar lawsuits against Fox News, Newsmax, One America News, and even individual Trump allies like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell.

• Fox News settled in 2023 for $787.5 million — one of the largest defamation payouts in U.S. history.
• Newsmax has now settled for $67 million.
• Smartmatic, another voting tech company, continues to pursue its case against Fox, seeking $2.7 billion in damages.

Dominion’s approach has been clear: hold powerful institutions accountable for spreading lies that damaged not only the company’s reputation but also the foundation of U.S. democracy.

Newsmax’s Defense — and Complaints

Despite settling, Newsmax continues to insist it did nothing wrong. The network has long maintained that it merely reported on claims made by public figures, a defense often used by media outlets when covering controversial allegations.

In its public statement, Newsmax accused the Delaware judge overseeing the case, Eric Davis, of “bias” and argued that his rulings limited the company’s ability to defend itself. Davis, who also presided over Dominion’s case against Fox News, had previously ruled that it was categorically false to claim the 2020 election was rigged — a finding that narrowed Newsmax’s legal options.

Legal scholars, however, widely praised Judge Davis for his impartial handling of both cases, noting that he applied consistent standards across multiple lawsuits.

A Tale of Two Settlements: Fox vs. Newsmax

The sheer size of Fox News’s settlement — nearly $788 million — dwarfs Newsmax’s $67 million payout. The difference reflects the networks’ vastly different reach and resources.

• Fox News commands the largest audience in U.S. cable news, with millions of nightly viewers and billions in annual revenue. Its role in amplifying election falsehoods was both extensive and influential.
• Newsmax, while gaining popularity among Trump loyalists in the weeks after the election, has an audience roughly one-tenth the size of Fox’s. Its smaller footprint likely factored into the lower settlement figure.

Yet for Newsmax, the financial hit could prove devastating. Unlike Fox, which can absorb a nine-figure payout, Newsmax runs on a leaner budget and has been trying to expand its digital and streaming presence to remain competitive.

Storytelling: Inside Dominion’s Fight

For Dominion employees, the lies weren’t just abstract political noise — they were personal. Engineers and staff members received death threats, endured harassment campaigns, and in some cases feared for their families’ safety.

One Dominion worker recalled being told his children’s school would be “targeted” after Trump supporters circulated his name online. Another described being forced into hiding after conspiracy theories painted him as part of a global election-rigging plot.

The lawsuit wasn’t just about corporate profits — it was about restoring dignity and safety to people whose lives were upended by misinformation. That emotional core made Dominion’s legal battles more than just a fight between companies; it was a battle over truth itself.

What This Means for American Media

The Newsmax settlement highlights a larger reckoning in U.S. media: how to balance press freedom with accountability in the era of misinformation.

• On one hand, networks have a duty to cover claims made by political leaders, even controversial ones.
• On the other, repeating false claims without context or verification can cause real harm — and now, as these lawsuits show, real financial consequences.

The precedent set by Dominion’s lawsuits may encourage other companies and individuals defamed by conspiracy theories to pursue litigation. At the same time, it forces news outlets to rethink editorial standards, fact-checking protocols, and the boundaries of free speech.

Newsmax’s Future: At a Crossroads

For Newsmax, the settlement represents both an escape and a warning. While it avoids the damaging spectacle of a televised trial, the network’s reputation and finances have taken a serious hit.

Ratings have already slipped from the post-2020 surge, and the network faces competition from other conservative outlets vying for the same audience. Internally, executives must now decide whether to double down on fiery partisan programming or pivot toward more cautious reporting.

Either way, the $67 million price tag will loom large in the network’s future — a constant reminder that chasing short-term ratings with unchecked claims can carry long-term costs.

Conclusion: A Costly Lesson in Accountability

Nearly five years after the 2020 election, the aftershocks are still being felt. The Newsmax-Dominion settlement underscores the enduring power of misinformation, the dangers it poses to institutions, and the steep financial penalties for spreading it unchecked.

As Dominion’s lawsuits continue to shape the media landscape, the settlement sends a clear message: lies about democracy are expensive, and truth has a price worth defending.

FAQs

1. Why did Newsmax settle with Dominion?
Newsmax settled to avoid a costly trial that could have exposed internal communications and further damaged its credibility.

2. How much will Newsmax pay Dominion?
The settlement totals $67 million, with $27 million paid immediately and $40 million over two years.

3. Did Newsmax admit wrongdoing?
No. Newsmax maintains that it did not defame Dominion, though the settlement resolves the case without trial.

4. How does this compare to Fox News’s settlement?
Fox News paid $787.5 million in 2023, more than ten times Newsmax’s settlement, reflecting Fox’s larger reach and influence.

5. Are there more lawsuits related to the 2020 election?
Yes. Dominion and Smartmatic both have ongoing cases against other networks and Trump allies over false election claims.