Dominion Voting Systems has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News, focusing on 20 specific broadcasts and tweets that allegedly spread false information, damaging Dominion's reputation. These statements, made between November 8, 2020, and January 26, 2021, were delivered by Fox hosts Jeanine Pirro, Lou Dobbs, and Maria Bartiromo, as well as through interviews with Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Lindell. The lawsuit claims these broadcasts and tweets falsely accused Dominion of election fraud, manipulating votes with algorithms, having connections to Venezuela, and offering kickbacks to politicians.
A judge has already determined these claims to be false, stating it is "crystal clear" that none of the statements about Dominion and the 2020 election are true. The jury will now decide if these statements were made with "actual malice," meaning they were knowingly false or showed a reckless disregard for the truth, and could potentially award damages. Dominion is seeking $1.6 billion in damages, along with additional punitive damages, a figure Fox argues is exaggerated. Fox denies any wrongdoing, describing the case as an unfounded attack on press freedom and asserting that Dominion has not met the high standard required to prove defamation.
Here is a breakdown of the 20 broadcasts and tweets in question:
1. "Sunday Morning Futures" on November 8, 2020: Alleged election fraud and vote manipulation.
2. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on November 12, 2020: Alleged election fraud and ties to Venezuela.
3. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on November 13, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, Venezuela ties, and kickbacks.
4. Dobbs' quote-tweet of Giuliani on November 14, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
5. "Justice with Judge Jeanine" on November 14, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
6. "Fox & Friends Sunday" on November 15, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, Venezuela ties, and kickbacks.
7. "Sunday Morning Futures" on November 15, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, Venezuela ties, and kickbacks.
8. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on November 16, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
9. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on November 18, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
10. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on November 19, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
11. "Justice with Judge Jeanine" on November 21, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
12. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on November 24, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
13. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on November 30, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and kickbacks.
14. "Hannity" on November 30, 2020: Alleged election fraud and vote manipulation.
15. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on December 4, 2020: Alleged election fraud and vote manipulation.
16. Dobbs' tweet with an embedded document on December 10, 2020: Alleged election fraud and vote manipulation.
17. "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on December 10, 2020: Alleged election fraud, vote manipulation, and Venezuela ties.
18. Dobbs' tweet with an embedded video of Powell on December 10, 2020: Alleged election fraud.
19. "Fox & Friends" on December 12, 2020: Alleged election fraud.
20. "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on January 26, 2021: Alleged election fraud.
These broadcasts and tweets are at the heart of the legal battle, as Dominion seeks to prove that Fox News acted with malice in spreading these false claims.