Smartmatic's Defamation Lawsuit Against Newsmax Set for Trial

Delaware judge rules that jury must decide on key issues including actual malice and damages in case over 2020 election claims.

A Delaware judge ruled that a jury must determine whether Newsmax acted with actual malice in reporting claims that Smartmatic rigged the 2020 election.
Judge Eric Davis granted partial summary judgment to both sides but noted that many key issues, including potential damages, remain unresolved.
The judge stated that statements about Smartmatic's software altering election results were factually false, but allowed Newsmax to contest claims about Smartmatic's ties to Venezuela.
Newsmax argued it was reporting on public concerns and invoked protections under Florida's neutral reporting and fair reporting privileges.
The trial, scheduled to start on September 30, follows similar defamation lawsuits by Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems against other conservative news outlets.