Defamation Settlement
4 entities tagged
Dominion v. Fox News $787M Settlement
event
In April 2023, Fox News settled Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million — the largest known media defamation settlement in US history. During pre-trial discovery, internal Fox communications revealed that hosts like Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham privately dismissed the election fraud claims as "ludicrous," "insane," and "really crazy" while continuing to air them. Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch admitted under oath that some Fox hosts "endorsed" the false claims. Fox settled on the eve of trial without admitting wrongdoing or airing an apology.
Dominion Voting Systems
organization
Dominion Voting Systems is a voting technology company that became the central target of debunked conspiracy theories alleging its machines were rigged to flip votes from Trump to Biden. Multiple audits, recounts, and forensic examinations confirmed Dominion machines worked accurately. The company filed defamation lawsuits against Fox News ($787.5M settlement), Giuliani, Powell, Lindell, OAN, and Newsmax, winning or settling for massive sums and vindicating its technology.
Fox News
organization
Fox News amplified debunked claims about Dominion Voting Systems and election fraud on its programming. Internal communications revealed during the Dominion lawsuit showed that Fox hosts and executives privately acknowledged the fraud claims were false while continuing to air them for ratings. Fox News settled the Dominion lawsuit for $787.5 million — the largest known media defamation settlement in US history — without ever airing a public apology.
John Poulos
person
John Poulos is the CEO of Dominion Voting Systems, whose company became the target of debunked conspiracy theories claiming its machines were designed to flip votes from Trump to Biden. Under Poulos's leadership, Dominion filed multiple defamation lawsuits against those who spread false claims, including Fox News (settled for $787.5 million), Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Mike Lindell. Every audit and investigation confirmed Dominion machines functioned properly.