DEFAMATION Bill Comes DUE for Newsmax!

Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems, ending a high-stakes defamation case just weeks before trial was set to begin.

At a Glance

Newsmax will pay $67 million to settle Dominion’s 2021 defamation lawsuit
Delaware judge previously ruled Newsmax had broadcast false statements
Settlement includes one immediate payment and two deferred installments
Newsmax denies wrongdoing, citing court bias as reason for settling
Deal follows Fox News’ $787.5 million payout in a similar 2023 case

Case Closed Before It Opens

The lawsuit, filed in August 2021, accused Newsmax of spreading baseless claims that Dominion’s voting machines helped rig the 2020 U.S. presidential election. These allegations were part of a broader wave of conspiracy theories amplified by several right-wing outlets in the post-election period.

Watch now: Newsmax Settles With Dominion Voting Systems For $67 Million · YouTube

Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric M. Davis ruled in April 2025 that Newsmax’s statements were defamatory and factually false, clearing the path for a jury to weigh damages and potential malice. Rather than face trial, Newsmax opted to settle.

Settlement Details and Reactions

The agreement, made public August 18, 2025, specifies a three-part payment structure: $27 million paid up front, followed by two installments of $20 million each in 2026 and 2027. Dominion stated it was pleased with the resolution, which it sees as part of its broader legal effort to hold media accountable for election misinformation.

Newsmax, in its statement, claimed the decision to settle was motivated by “systemic bias” in the Delaware court system. The network denied any admission of guilt or deviation from journalistic standards, calling the lawsuit a risk-laden distraction as it looks to future growth.

The Ripple Effect Across Media

The Newsmax deal arrives in the shadow of Fox News’ landmark 2023 settlement, in which the larger network paid Dominion $787.5 million to avoid trial over similar election-related claims. Newsmax had also previously settled with Smartmatic in 2024 for $40 million.

These payouts illustrate a growing legal cost for networks that amplify unfounded political conspiracy theories. Analysts expect more caution across smaller conservative media firms still facing active litigation from Dominion and Smartmatic.

The financial terms, while steep, are significantly smaller than Fox’s deal, raising questions about relative exposure and audience size. Investors responded positively to Newsmax’s move, with parent company shares rising approximately 6% after the announcement.