Dominion is seeking $1.6 billion in damages, with the trial set to begin on April 28, 2025, unless a settlement is reached.

A Delaware judge has ruled that Newsmax Media defamed Dominion Voting Systems by falsely accusing them of rigging the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Dominion argued that Newsmax's misinformation severely harmed its reputation and business.

Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis presided over the case and concluded that a jury will determine if Newsmax acted with actual malice.

The judge's ruling allows the jury to consider whether Newsmax intentionally defamed Dominion, potentially leading to damages exceeding $1 billion.

A spokesperson for Dominion expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, while Newsmax has yet to comment publicly.

This ruling follows a similar case where Dominion settled with Fox News for $787.5 million, which may pressure Newsmax to consider a settlement.

Following the ruling, Newsmax's stock dropped over 10%, a decline that comes after a brief surge post-IPO.

The judge noted that there was no substantial evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election, which was won by Joe Biden.

The judge found that Newsmax promoted unfounded claims, alleging that Dominion's voting technology was developed in Venezuela for election manipulation.

Newsmax contended that its reporting was based on allegations made by President Trump and his associates, but the judge rejected this defense.

This ruling underscores the legal accountability media organizations face regarding the dissemination of misleading information, particularly in election contexts.