Voting technology company Smartmatic sues Fox News and its top hosts for $2.7 billion over disinformation
Smartmatic has a high-priced demand for Fox News and its hosts — as well as a reminder of some simple facts of life.
On Tuesday, the voting technology company filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News, several of its hosts, and lawyers for former President Donald Trump. It's seeking $2.7 billion after the defendants' false claims of election fraud not only "caused irreparable damage to Smartmatic, but it contributed to an erosion of trust and civility in the country," the company alleged.
The suit targets Fox News; Fox Business hosts Lou Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo, and Jeanine Pirro; and Trump-affiliated lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. And it all starts with a harsh statement of facts: "The Earth is round. Two plus two equals four. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the 2020 election for President and Vice President of the United States. The election was not stolen, rigged, or fixed."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The defendants in the case "have always known these facts," Smartmatic alleged in the suit. But because they "did not want" Biden and Harris to win, they "invented" a villain in Smartmatic and pinned false allegations of election fraud on them, the suit continued. Smartmatic provided election support in Los Angeles County — a place whose election results were never in dispute. All of these false claims "jeopardize[d] Smartmatic's survival," but also "led a mob to attack the U.S. Capitol," the suit said, going on to repeatedly excoriate the defendants' alleged role in destroying faith in democracy.
Voting machine company Dominion also sued Giuliani and Powell last month after the lawyers falsely claimed the company changed Trump votes to Biden.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published