U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan ruled that MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed Smartmatic by making false claims that its voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election. The judge, however, deferred the question of whether Lindell acted with “actual malice,” which is required for Smartmatic to collect damages. Lindell repeatedly stated in documentaries and media appearances that the machines were rigged, specifically in Los Angeles County where Smartmatic was used. Smartmatic is now seeking substantial damages from Lindell, as it aims to hold him accountable for spreading lies.
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Rudy Giuliani has reached a settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in its $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit, with both parties agreeing to dismiss the suit permanently. The terms of the settlement remain confidential, but the lawsuit stemmed from Giuliani’s false claims about Dominion’s role in rigging the 2020 election. The former New York City mayor faced legal challenges after leading former President Donald Trump’s efforts to discredit the election results. This settlement follows other significant agreements Dominion has reached with Fox News and Newsmax, and further compounds a series of legal and financial difficulties Giuliani has faced.
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In a significant development, a Michigan judge dismissed criminal charges against a group of individuals accused of attempting to falsely certify Donald Trump as the winner of the 2020 election, citing a lack of intent to commit fraud. The 15 Republicans, including prominent members of the state’s GOP, faced forgery and conspiracy charges related to signing a document falsely claiming they were the state’s duly elected electors. The judge determined that the defendants believed they were executing their constitutional right to seek redress. Following the ruling, Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed disappointment and said that she is considering an appeal.
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A Michigan judge has dismissed charges against the state’s fake electors who falsely claimed Donald Trump won the 2020 election, citing a lack of evidence proving the group knowingly intended to break the law. The ruling ends the criminal prosecutions against the group, which included prominent GOP officials and Trump supporters. This decision is a setback to accountability efforts, especially since similar cases are still pending in other states like Nevada, Arizona, and Wisconsin. The Attorney General of Michigan, who brought the case, disagreed with the ruling and is evaluating the next steps, as defense lawyers celebrated it as a victory.
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President Donald Trump announced plans to award Rudolph Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. This decision comes after Giuliani’s recent car accident and highlights a significant shift in his public image. Giuliani, once celebrated for his leadership after 9/11, later faced sanctions and disbarment for promoting false claims about the 2020 election, alongside criminal charges in multiple states. The Medal of Freedom recognizes those who have made exceptional contributions to the nation.
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The Election Research Institute, founded by Honey, spearheaded a Georgia election rule change permitting delayed certification of tallies to address ballot discrepancies, despite these being typically minor issues. Honey also leads Pennsylvania Fair Elections, an organization that disseminated election misinformation, echoing claims of election fraud in 2020 in collaboration with other activists. This group is aligned with individuals who continue to question election results. This move is seen as a continuation of the Trump administration’s pursuit of debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.
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In a recent Oval Office meeting, Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but instead of focusing on the war, Trump veered into a tirade of personal grievances and political attacks. Trump blamed President Biden for the conflict and criticized the 2020 election results. He even made a dismissive comment about Ukraine’s democratic elections, drawing attention away from the humanitarian crisis. The meeting highlighted Trump’s self-centered agenda and his focus on domestic politics, making the ongoing conflict in Ukraine secondary. Ultimately, Trump’s behavior transformed a serious international discussion into a platform for his personal complaints and political vendettas.
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Newsmax has agreed to a $67 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, following similar settlements by Fox News Channel and Smartmatic. The court had previously ruled that Newsmax defamed Dominion by spreading false information about its voting equipment. This settlement was reached before a trial could take place, which was revealed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Internal communications from Newsmax demonstrated that the network knew the claims of election fraud were baseless, yet it continued to air them.
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The D.C. Bar recommended disbarment for Jeffrey Clark due to his actions related to the 2020 election. The board found that Clark was prepared to have the Justice Department misrepresent its investigation into the election’s integrity, a severe ethical violation. Clark’s attempts to pressure Georgia lawmakers and his involvement in Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results contributed to the board’s decision. The Bar’s recommendation emphasizes the gravity of the situation and aims to deter similar misconduct within the legal profession.
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The 2020 presidential election fallout continues, as evidenced by the disbarment of ex-Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro in New York. Chesebro, considered a key architect of the fake electors scheme, was found guilty in Georgia of conspiracy to commit filing false documents, a “serious crime” that led to the disciplinary action. This followed his indictment in Georgia related to efforts to overturn the state’s election results. Chesebro also faces charges in Wisconsin related to the fake electors scheme, and a presidential pardon would not offer relief.
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John Q. Hosedrinker