Fox News and Smartmatic File Competing Motions in $2.7 Billion Defamation Case
The parties seek summary judgments on defamation and First Amendment claims, potentially avoiding a trial in the high-stakes lawsuit over 2020 election fraud allegations.
Overview
- Smartmatic has requested summary judgment, arguing Fox News knowingly promoted false election fraud claims to boost ratings after the 2020 presidential election.
- Fox News counters that its coverage was protected by the First Amendment, asserting it accurately reported on then-President Trump's fraud allegations.
- The lawsuit also names Fox News personalities Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro, and the estate of Lou Dobbs as co-defendants alongside Fox Corporation.
- Fox seeks dismissal under New York's anti-SLAPP law, claiming Smartmatic's case is frivolous and intended to silence the network's reporting.
- Judge David Cohen will now weigh the motions, which could resolve key issues or prevent the case from proceeding to a jury trial.