Federal Judge Rules Mike Lindell Defamed Smartmatic: What This Means for the MyPillow Founder

MyPillow founder Mike Lindell faced a ruling from a federal judge that his claims about the voting technology company Smartmatic were false. Lindell, an ally of former President Trump, alleged that Smartmatic’s machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election, particularly in California’s Los Angeles County, which Biden won.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan noted that there are serious questions surrounding whether Lindell acted with “actual malice,” a necessary factor for Smartmatic to claim damages. He found that Lindell made false statements 51 times through various platforms and concluded that no reasonable person could believe those claims were true.

Smartmatic has been actively challenging misinformation, winning settlements from conservative news outlets like Newsmax and One America News Network. They are currently pursuing an active case against Fox News, emphasizing that their systems did not tamper with the election. Attorney Erik Connolly stated, “Smartmatic did not and could not have rigged the 2020 election.”

Lindell, maintaining his stance, has vowed to continue fighting against Smartmatic, labeling it “one of the most corrupt companies in the world.” He has even stated he would take his battle over voting machines to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

In addition to his ongoing legal struggles, Lindell is considering running for governor in Minnesota. He has stated that securing elections will be a priority in his campaign, reflecting public sentiment; recent polls show that election security is a top concern among voters in the state.

This legal drama isn’t new for Lindell. In June, a jury ruled against him in a defamation case involving Dominion Voting Systems, awarding $2.3 million to a former Dominion employee whom Lindell accused of treason. Recently, he did win a ruling in July that prevented him from paying a $5 million arbitration award related to allegations of Chinese election interference due to a procedural error by the arbitration panel.

As misinformation continues to circulate in discussions about election integrity, Lindell’s case highlights the ongoing legal and social battles surrounding claims made about the 2020 election. With Smartmatic and other companies fighting hard to protect their reputations, the implications of these legal rulings could extend far into the future of voting technology in America.

You can find more details on Smartmatic’s ongoing legal efforts against Fox News in this CBS News article.

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Mike Lindell