Summary of teh Article: Mike Lindell and Smartmatic Defamation Case
This article details a recent ruling in the defamation lawsuit brought by Smartmatic against MyPillow founder Mike Lindell.Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* The Ruling: A federal judge in Minnesota ruled that Mike Lindell did defame Smartmatic with false statements claiming their voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election. The judge found no reasonable basis to believe Lindell’s statements were true, citing 51 specific instances across documentaries, media appearances, and personal statements.
* “Actual Malice” Still to be Determined: However, the judge deferred a decision on whether Lindell acted with “actual malice” – meaning he knew the statements were false or recklessly disregarded their falsity.this is crucial because Smartmatic needs to prove actual malice to win damages. Lindell’s defense argues he genuinely believed his claims.
* Focus of the Claims: Lindell’s statements centered around the 2020 election results in Los Angeles County, California, where Smartmatic’s machines were used. He alleged the machines switched votes from Trump to Biden.
* Potential Damages: Smartmatic is seeking “nine-figure damages” from Lindell and MyPillow.
* Lindell’s Response: Lindell dismissed the ruling as “bizarre” and continued to attack Smartmatic,vowing to fight on and even calling for their machines to be destroyed.
* smartmatic’s Successes: Smartmatic has been triumphant in similar defamation cases, reaching settlements with Newsmax and One America News Network. They also have an ongoing lawsuit against Fox News.
In essence,the article highlights a significant legal victory for Smartmatic in establishing that Lindell made false and defamatory statements,but the case is not yet over as the question of intent (actual malice) remains to be decided.