Newsmax Agrees To Fork Over Far Less To Dominion Voting Systems Than Fox News Did

Newsmax Media Inc. reached a settlement with Dominion Voting Systems on Monday in relation to its defamation lawsuit against the news network.

Newsmax agreed to pay $67 million over the next three fiscal years to settle the lawsuit over their alleged defamatory coverage of Dominion regarding the 2020 presidential election, which is far lower than the $787.5 million that Fox News agreed to pay the voting software company in April 2023. Dominion filed the lawsuit in August 2021, alleging that the network falsely accused the company of election fraud in 18 statements that aired on television.

The first portion of the payment, which amounted to $27 million, was made on Aug. 15, according to a filing from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Two more $20 million payments will be made by Jan. 15, 2026 and Jan. 15, 2027. Dominion originally sought $1.6 billion in damages.

Judge Eric M. Davis of the Delaware Superior Court ruled in April that Dominion presented “clear and convincing evidence” that Newsmax made defamatory statements against the company. A jury trial was set to take place on whether Newsmax acted with “actual malice,” though Newsmax decided to reach a settlement as it did not believe David would “provide a fair trial.”

Newsmax said in a statement that it stands by its reporting as “fair, balanced and conducted within professional standards of journalism.” The network further accused Davis of “strongly favor” the plaintiffs by presuming that Newsmax was guilty, ignoring “critical context” and of practicing procedural irregularities.