UPDATE: A federal judge has ruled that MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic with false claims regarding the integrity of their voting machines during the 2020 presidential election. This decision was announced earlier today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan in Minnesota as part of ongoing legal proceedings.
Judge Bryan confirmed that Lindell made 51 specific false statements across various media platforms, alleging that Smartmatic’s voting machines manipulated votes in favor of President Joe Biden in Los Angeles County, which Biden won with 71% of the vote. The judge emphasized that no reasonable jury could find Lindell’s statements to be true, indicating a significant legal setback for the MyPillow founder, a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump.
While the judge acknowledged that there are “genuine fact disputes” regarding whether Lindell acted with “actual malice,” he deferred the decision on damages until future hearings. Smartmatic’s attorney, Erik Connolly, stated they will pursue nine-figure damages for the “lies” propagated by Lindell.
“Smartmatic did not and could not have rigged the 2020 election,” Connolly said. “It was impossible, and everything that Mr. Lindell said about Smartmatic was false.”
In an immediate response, Lindell described the ruling as “the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard,” reiterating his claims against Smartmatic and vowing to continue his battle against electronic voting systems. He expressed intentions to take his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary, advocating for a shift back to paper ballots.
Smartmatic’s recent legal victories, including settlements with conservative news outlets like Newsmax and One America News Network, reflect its strategy to combat misinformation. The company is also pursuing a case against Fox News while having previously won a defamation case against Lindell’s claims involving Dominion Voting Systems, with a jury awarding $2.3 million in damages.
Lindell, who has faced multiple legal challenges and financial issues, hinted at a potential gubernatorial run in Minnesota, stating he is “considering running” following recent local news reports. He aims to secure elections as a key platform issue, citing polling data showing that election security is a top concern among voters.
As developments unfold, Lindell’s legal battles continue to attract public attention, illustrating the ongoing debate surrounding election integrity and misinformation in America. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
