Smartmatic is seeking to hold Mike Lindell in civil contempt for failing to pay over $50,000 in sanctions stemming from a frivolous counterclaim in a defamation suit. Lindell, citing $70 million in debt and IRS garnishment, claims he is unable to pay, stating he currently lives on $1,000 a week due to ongoing legal battles. Judge Carl Nichols will review Lindell’s financial documents before ruling on the contempt motion. These legal issues are part of multiple defamation lawsuits against Lindell, alleging he falsely linked Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems to election fraud to boost MyPillow sales.
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A judge has ruled in favor of Drake’s request to access Kendrick Lamar’s recording contracts and Universal Music Group’s executive compensation data as part of his ongoing defamation lawsuit. Drake alleges that Lamar’s song, “Not Like Us,” which contained accusations of pedophilia, is defamatory and that Universal knowingly promoted the false claims. Universal had sought to halt the discovery process and dismiss the case, arguing the request was overly burdensome, but the judge rejected this motion. A hearing on Universal’s motion to dismiss the case is scheduled for June 30th.
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A US healthcare executive, Dr. Brian Morley, is suing John Oliver and Last Week Tonight for defamation. The suit alleges that Oliver took Morley’s testimony out of context, portraying him as unconcerned about a disabled patient’s hygiene. Oliver’s commentary, including a vulgar statement, allegedly caused significant reputational harm to Morley. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages exceeding $75,000, claiming Oliver intentionally manipulated Morley’s words to generate outrage and boost ratings. Morley maintains that the full context of his testimony, which was provided to the show’s producers, significantly alters the interpretation of his statements.
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Elon Musk is suing former Rep. Jamaal Bowman for defamation after Bowman called Musk a “thief” and a “Nazi” on CNN, criticizing Musk’s work with President Trump on the Department of Government Efficiency. This lawsuit follows a recent surge in vandalism targeting Tesla, fueled by negative public perception of Musk’s association with Trump. The attacks, including arson, have coincided with a significant drop in Tesla’s stock price, a decline celebrated by some Democrats. Bowman, who lost his reelection bid in 2024, made the comments during a CNN segment discussing Musk’s perceived incompetence.
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Newsmax settled a defamation lawsuit with Smartmatic for $40 million, a figure disclosed in a recent financial filing. The settlement resolves claims that Newsmax falsely accused Smartmatic of election fraud during the 2020 election cycle. Newsmax has paid $20 million to date, and offered Smartmatic stock as part of the agreement. This settlement follows similar actions by other news outlets, including One America News, and is part of a broader legal battle examining the intersection of free speech and defamation regarding election misinformation. The case against Fox News is still ongoing.
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A civil case accusing Jay-Z and Diddy of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at a 2000 VMAs after-party has been dismissed with prejudice. Both rappers’ legal teams celebrated the dismissal, characterizing the suit as baseless and driven by the plaintiff’s attorney’s pursuit of media attention rather than legal merit. The case, initially filed in October and amended in December to include Jay-Z, is permanently concluded. This dismissal follows other similar lawsuits filed against Diddy, who remains in custody on separate sex-trafficking charges.
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Elon Musk’s January 20th gesture, a hand-to-heart followed by a downward-facing, outward thrust, has sparked controversy due to its resemblance to a salute employed by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The action’s visual similarity to these historical symbols has drawn significant criticism. The gesture’s meaning remains ambiguous, yet its resemblance to these infamous salutes is undeniable. The incident highlights the potential for unintentional, yet highly offensive, nonverbal communication.
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CNN’s recent defamation lawsuit, resulting in a verdict against the network, centers around a US Navy veteran, who assisted in evacuating individuals from Afghanistan. The network initially stood by its reporting, but later expressed regret for using the term “black market” to describe the veteran’s work. This retraction, however, doesn’t negate the damage inflicted.
The core issue wasn’t whether the veteran was involved in evacuations—that much is undisputed. The problem arose from CNN’s labeling of his efforts as operating within a “black market,” a term implying illegal activity. This characterization significantly harmed his reputation and professional prospects, despite the fact that his actions, while perhaps ethically questionable, may not have been technically illegal.… Continue reading
Drake is suing Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation and harassment stemming from Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us,” which falsely accused Drake of being a pedophile. The lawsuit alleges UMG prioritized profit over artist safety, citing the song’s defamatory lyrics and artwork depicting Drake’s home marked like a registered sex offender’s residence, potentially inciting a shooting at his property. This action follows the withdrawal of a separate lawsuit against UMG and Spotify alleging stream manipulation of “Not Like Us.” UMG has yet to respond to the defamation claims.
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Alec Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit against special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and Santa Fe County Sheriff’s investigators for malicious prosecution, civil rights violations, and defamation stemming from the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust.” The suit alleges intentional mishandling of evidence and scapegoating Baldwin to deflect blame from others. Following the dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin, this action seeks to hold defendants accountable for their actions and prevent similar abuses of power. Baldwin claims the defendants pursued personal or political gain rather than justice, violating his rights.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood