Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News have come to an agreement in their $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit. The electronic voting company accused Fox News of spreading baseless allegations that Dominion rigged the 2020 presidential election against former President Donald Trump. Fox News will pay Dominion $787.5 million as part of the settlement.
Following the announcement by Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis that the case had been resolved, Dominion's attorneys expressed satisfaction with the outcome, which they see as a victory for truth and democracy. Fox News also issued a statement, acknowledging the court's findings that certain claims about Dominion were false and emphasizing their commitment to upholding high journalistic standards.
Dominion CEO John Poulos called the settlement "historic" and expressed gratitude towards election officials. He acknowledged the harm done to Dominion, its employees, and customers, and highlighted the importance of truthful reporting for democracy. The details of the settlement remain undisclosed, and it is unclear whether Dominion will receive an apology or retraction from Fox News or its co-founder, Rupert Murdoch.
The resolution of the lawsuit came on the first day of the trial in Delaware Superior Court, with a jury and alternates already sworn in. The trial, which was expected to last six weeks, will no longer proceed. The settlement marks the end of Dominion's two-year legal battle with Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, and spares Fox News stars and Murdoch from testifying.
Dominion sought $1.6 billion in damages, alleging that Fox News defamed the company by broadcasting unfounded claims that Dominion's software manipulated vote counts. The trial was set to be a high-stakes examination of First Amendment boundaries, with Fox News arguing that the statements aired were newsworthy and constitutionally protected. However, Judge Davis refuted several of Fox News' defenses, stating that it was clear none of the statements related to Dominion were true.
Before the trial, text messages and internal emails from Fox News hosts, producers, and executives were made public as part of the lawsuit, revealing that many did not believe the claims being promoted by Trump and his allies. The communications also exposed the inner workings of Fox News after they were the first to call Arizona for Joe Biden on election night, leading to a loss of viewership and concern within the company.
Despite previously attending court-ordered mediation without reaching an agreement, Dominion and Fox News have now settled the lawsuit amicably, avoiding a divisive trial and allowing the country to move forward.
