Newsmax Defamation Trial Opens Over 2020 Election

A defamation trial against Newsmax Media commenced on September 26 in Wilmington, Delaware, where Smartmatic accuses the conservative outlet of damaging its reputation by broadcasting false claims that it aided in stealing the 2020 U.S. presidential election from Donald Trump. The jury will decide if Newsmax deliberately misrepresented facts to harm Smartmatic or if it was merely reporting on allegations made by Trump and his allies. Given the stakes, described as 'bet your company' litigation for Newsmax, the trial could significantly impact the broadcaster's financial future as it aims for an initial public offering later this year. Smartmatic asserts that false reporting led to a surge in Newsmax's audience while damaging its business prospects, despite the company only providing voting services in Los Angeles County. Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis has ruled that while Newsmax's claims were proven false, a jury must determine whether the outlet acted with actual malice. This trial is part of a broader legal trend regarding media accountability for misinformation related to the 2020 election.