Newsmax, OAN Are Sued by Smartmatic
/Well, you knew it was coming and now the lawsuit has dropped.
Right-winged media outlets One America News and Newsmax have been sued by voting technology company Smartmatic.
In separate lawsuits, Smartmatic accused OAN and Newsmax of knowingly spreading false claims that the voting technology company rigged the election against then-President Donald Trump.
Smartmatic says the networks doubled down on the false claims as part of an effort to win over Trump supporters dissatisfied with Fox News Network's election coverage.
A Newsmax spokesperson said in a statement: "While Newsmax has yet to receive or review the Smartmatic filing, Newsmax reported accurately on allegations made by well-known public figures, including the President, his advisors and members of Congress, as well as reporting on Smartmatic's claims in its defense. Smartmatic's action against Newsmax today is a clear attempt to squelch the rights of a free press."
An OAN representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Smartmatic did not say how much money it is demanding from Newsmax and OAN, but said election conspiracy theories have erased $2 billion in value from the company. Damages owed by each of the defendants will be determined at trial, it said.
H/T Reuters