Newsmax Media has paid $40 million to settle allegations of defaming Smartmatic by spreading false claims about the 2020 U.S. election, according to a regulatory filing. Smartmatic’s representative mentioned that they are looking forward to taking Fox News to trial over similar claims. The lawsuit alleged that Newsmax broadcast damaging misinformation about Smartmatic, leading to a significant increase in Newsmax’s audience after the election. The settlement amount was disclosed in an investor document. Newsmax representatives have not yet responded to requests for comments. Smartmatic is also suing Fox News for $2.7 billion over their election coverage. Fox had previously settled defamation claims by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, which legal experts consider to be the largest defamation settlement by a U.S. media company.
