A pivotal defamation lawsuit against Newsmax is set to move forward after Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled that Smartmatic’s case, centered on allegations of false election fraud claims, will proceed to trial. The decision comes as a significant blow to the right-wing network, which had sought to dismiss the case, hoping to avoid the intense legal scrutiny that a trial would bring.
The trial, scheduled for September 30, will explore whether Newsmax recklessly perpetuated false claims about Smartmatic’s involvement in manipulating the results of the 2020 presidential election. Smartmatic, a voting technology company, accuses Newsmax of defaming its reputation by broadcasting baseless conspiracy theories, and now seeks to hold the network accountable for the damage done.
Judge’s Ruling: A Path to Trial Judge Davis’s ruling emphasizes the importance of examining Newsmax’s actions during the contentious aftermath of the 2020 election. He wrote that there is a dispute over whether Newsmax “recklessly disregarded the truth” or simply engaged in typical media coverage of a newsworthy event. This key distinction will be left for a jury to decide, barring a pre-trial settlement.
Smartmatic’s legal team insists that Newsmax knew the election fraud claims were false yet continued to promote them to boost viewership and ratings. This allegation forms the crux of Smartmatic’s defamation case, and it highlights broader concerns about the role of media in amplifying misinformation during politically charged times.
