Political affairs channel Newsmax says it has reached a settlement with Smartmatic over certain election-related misinformation that aired on some of its programming.
The settlement came about two days before Smartmatic’s defamation trial was set to begin, with opening arguments scheduled in the case for Monday.
The case centered around conspiracy theories floated by some Newsmax contributors and guests following the 2020 presidential election, including claims that Smartmatch machines helped rig the outcome of the election in favor of then-Democratic candidate and former Senator Joe Biden.
Those claims have never been definitively proven. Smartmatic’s voting machines were used in Los Angeles County, though the company claims Newsmax commentators and guests conflated their conspiracies to suggest it played a much-larger role in that year’s election.
“Newsmax is pleased to announce it has resolved the litigation brought by Smartmatic through a confidential settlement,” a spokesperson for the channel said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. A person familiar with the case told The Desk on background that it includes “monetary remuneration” paid by Newsmax to Smartmatic. The source declined to specify the amount.
The judge presiding over Smartmatic’s defamation case against Newsmax, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis, also oversaw a similar case brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox Corporation and Fox News Media. That case was settled for $787.5 million last year.
Earlier this year, Davis ruled on a request for summary judgment, saying statements aired on Newsmax regarding Smartmatic software and voting machines were “factually false.”
“The reports and investigations conducted by multiple state and federal agencies since the election universally come to the same result,” Davis said.
