Smartmatic not sustaining harm due to its 2020 election coverage, as claimed by Fox News.
Foxy Fiasco: Smartmatic Sues Fox News and the Buck Wild Ride Continues
In the ongoing legal battle, Fox News is battling it out in court with voting machine company Smartmatic, refusing to back down from a $2.7 billion defamation suit. This tense standoff between the conservative-leaning news channel and the voting equipment provider has been heating up since 2021.
After the dust settled on a $787.5 million settlement in the defamation suit against Dominion Voting Systems in 2023, Fox News insists that Smartmatic, although similar, is not in the same boat. The news network insists that its coverage of Trump's baseless election fraud allegations did little to harm Smartmatic's business.
On the flip side, Smartmatic claims that Fox News' relentless coverage cost 100 employees their jobs and billions in value. With a history in 40 countries and a dubious past in nations like Venezuela and the Philippines, the Boca Raton-based company contends that Fox News is using its own reputation woes to deflect responsibility.
In what seems like a characteristic move from an old abuser, as stated by an attorney representing Smartmatic, Fox's tactics can be described as a deflection, shifting the blame from the real issue - spreading false information that caused significant harm.
Smartmatic was no stranger to Fox News' programming, especially when Trump's lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell made appearances claiming rigged voting machines. However, it's essential to note that Smartmatic played a minimal role in the 2020 election, with equipment only used in Los Angeles County and nowhere in the swing states that ultimately decided the election.
As the court battle rages on, Fox News is likely to present Smartmatic's own legal problems from past years to undermine the company's case. In August 2021, Smartmatic President Roger Piñate and two employees were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly making illegal payments to secure contracts in the Philippines, a case that Smartmatic claims has no connections to voter fraud.
Curiously, Smartmatic already reached a settlement with the right-wing outlet Newsmax over defamation claims, which gave a platform to Trump’s falsehoods and failed to acknowledge Biden's victory for more than a month after the election was called.
While the trial date looms, the judge has denied Fox News' request to depose Democratic donor Reid Hoffman but allowed a deposition of his associate regarding financial damages. With dueling motions for summary judgment, this legal wrestling match remains active as both parties push for an early resolution without going to trial.
The Latest Buzz:- Right-wing network Newsmax settles Smartmatic defamation lawsuit, finally putting an end to their legal battle.- CBS faces heat over an FCC probe into its '60 Minutes' edits, adding another feather to the cap of the never-ending drama in tinsel town.- Paramount tackles Trump's CBS '60 Minutes' lawsuit, with the former president seeking to "punish" the network because of their unfavorable coverage.
- Fox News and Smartmatic continue their court standoff, with the former fighting against a $2.7 billion defamation claim.
- Melting the icy tension of 2021, Fox News argues that Smartmatic's business was not harmed by its election fraud coverage.
- Smartmatic counters, claiming Fox News' relentless reporting cost them 100 jobs and billions in value.
- The attorney representing Smartmatic claimed Fox's tactics were a classic deflection, shifting blame for spread of false information.
- In 2020, Smartmatic's equipment was used only in Los Angeles County, nowhere in the swing states that decided the election.
- Fox News may bring up Smartmatic's past legal problems to weaken their case, as the US Department of Justice indicted their president and two employees in 2021.
- Newsmax already settled a defamation suit with Smartmatic, ending their legal battle but continuing the wave of defamation lawsuits in the media industry.
- Beyond the Fox News trial, CBS faces scrutiny over FCC probe into '60 Minutes' edits, adding to the ongoing drama in Hollywood.
- Paramount is now embroiled in a lawsuit with Trump over CBS' '60 Minutes', with the former president seeking to "punish" the network for unfavorable coverage.
- Education and self-development resources continue to thrive in Los Angeles, offering opportunities while the general news landscape remains chaotic due to ongoing political and legal battles.
