Fox News has reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, marking the largest defamation settlement involving a media company in US history. The settlement comes as a result of a two-year legal battle that severely impacted the credibility of the right-wing network. The agreement was reached at the last second before the trial was set to begin, halting the proceedings in the Delaware Superior Court.
The settlement announcement came after rumors emerged in the courthouse during a break, leading to a three-hour pause in the proceedings. The jury was ultimately dismissed, and Judge Eric Davis commended their role in encouraging the settlement. Dominion’s lawyer, Justin Nelson, described the settlement as a vindication and accountability for the company, emphasizing the importance of facts in democracy. The agreement was seen as a victory for truth and democratic principles in the face of false claims regarding the 2020 election.
Despite the settlement, Fox News maintained its position that it did not defame Dominion and emphasized its commitment to journalistic standards. The case, which had garnered significant public attention, concluded without proceeding to trial, sparing prominent Fox News figures from testifying about their election coverage. While the Dominion case has been resolved, Fox News still faces another defamation lawsuit from Smartmatic, and Dominion has pending lawsuits against other entities.
