After Lawsuits Against Newsmax And OANN, Here’s Who Dominion Has Sued So Far—And Who Could Be Next
Topline
Dominion Voting Systems sued far-right networks Newsmax and One America News (OANN) and ex-Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne Tuesday for defamation, bringing the total number of billion-dollar lawsuits it has filed over baseless election fraud claims about the company’s voting machines to seven. Here’s everyone who has been sued so far, and who could face litigation next:
Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani conduct a news conference on November 19, 2020. (Photo By Tom … [+]
CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Key Facts
Denver-based Dominion sued OANN and anchors Chanel Rion and Christina Bobb in federal court and Newsmax in Delaware state court, alleging the two far-right networks promoted fraud allegations on their network knowing they were false and “helped create and cultivate an alternate reality where up is down, pigs have wings, and Dominion engaged in a colossal fraud to steal the presidency from Donald Trump by rigging the vote.”
Dominion sued Byrne, who has become known for spreading election conspiracy theories after stepping down from Overstock in 2019, alleging the businessman “manufactured and promoted fake evidence to convince the world that the 2020 election had been stolen” using Dominion voting machines, and accused him of doing so in order to boost his own investments in blockchain voting technology.
The company filed its first lawsuit in January against pro-Trump attorney Sidney Powell, who has been the most prominent person spreading the fraud claims, seeking $1.3 billion in damages.
It filed suit later in the month against Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, alleging he used the conspiracy theory about Dominion’s machines to personally “enrich himself” while knowing the claims were false.
Dominion made similar allegations against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, suing the businessman and his company in February and claiming Lindell “sells the lie” involving the company’s voting machines “because the lie sells pillows.”
Dominion sued Fox News in March alleging the network had knowingly spread false news about its machines to improve failing ratings, saying they had “set out to lure viewers back…by intentionally and falsely blaming Dominion” for President Donald Trump’s loss.
What To Watch For
Dominion has identified more than 150 people as potential targets of litigation, and it has sent letters to preserve evidence and warning of potential litigation to right-wing figures including pro-Trump attorney Lin Wood, Fox News anchors and Melissa Carone, who Giuliani has promoted as a witness to supposed voter fraud efforts. The company sent letters to social media networks in February asking them to preserve posts from Trump and his campaign, as well as from Trump allies including former Trump advisor Michael Flynn, Fox anchor Jeanine Pirro, Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis and far-right political commentator Dan Bongino. Dominion attorney Stephen Shackelford confirmed to reporters Tuesday the company is still considering bringing additional lawsuits, saying in response to questions about whether Dominion could sue Trump himself or figures connected to the Arizona election lawsuit the company is “still exploring options” as to how to hold others accountable. “We are continuing to take an evidence-based look at everyone who has participated” in perpetuating the conspiracy theory, Shackelford said, adding the company has “not ruled out other parties.”
Big Number
$1.6 billion. That’s approximately how much Dominion is asking for in damages against Byrne, OANN, Newsmax and Fox News. Its lawsuits against Powell, Giuliani and Lindell are each seeking $1.3 billion in damages.
Chief Critics
Those sued have largely remained defiant, and Newsmax said in a statement Tuesday the network “simply reported on allegations made by well-known public figures” and Dominion’s lawsuit is “a clear attempt to squelch such reporting and undermine a free press.” Fox News said in a statement after it was sued the network “is proud of our 2020 election coverage” and would “vigorously defend” themselves against the litigation, Giuliani said the lawsuit against him was “another act of intimidation by the hate-filled left-wing” and Lindell said he “welcomed” Dominion’s lawsuit, telling Forbes before it was filed, “Dominion, please sue me.” Powell, Giuliani, Lindell and Fox News have all filed to dismiss their lawsuits, and a federal judge is expected to rule soon on whether Powell, Giuliani and Lindell’s cases will move forward after a hearing on the motions was held in June.
Key Background
Dominion’s voting machines are at the heart of a right-wing conspiracy theory alleging they were used to fraudulently flip votes from Trump to Joe Biden, which is not substantiated by evidence. Dominion says that the claims have substantially hurt its business and put its employees in danger. The voting company controls about 30% of the U.S. market, according to data cited by ProPublica in 2019—making it the second-largest business of its kind in the country—and said in its Fox News lawsuit that it has contracts with 28 states. Business analytics firm Dun & Bradstreet estimated the company’s 2021 annual revenue will be $40.15 million, though the company alleges it has lost out on state contracts over concerns raised by constituents and Republican lawmakers about the fraud claims, including a $10 million contract in Stark County, Ohio, and a $100 million contract in Louisiana.
Tangent
In addition to Dominion, rival voting company Smartmatic has also filed a $2.7 billion lawsuit against Powell, Giuliani, Fox News and several of its anchors. Fox News and its personalities have similarly denied the claims in that lawsuit and filed motions to dismiss.
Further Reading
Fox News Sued By Dominion Voting For Defamation Over Election Conspiracy (Forbes)
Dominion Voting Sues Sidney Powell For Defamation Over Election Conspiracy—And Others May Be Next (Forbes)
Dominion Voting Sues Rudy Giuliani For $1.3 Billion Over Election Conspiracy (Forbes)
Dominion Voting Sues MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell For Defamation Over Election Conspiracy (Forbes)
Comments