Fox News Settles Landmark Defamation Suit with Dominion Voting Systems

In a historic legal resolution, Fox News has settled the defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. The agreement was reached just minutes before it was announced publicly, narrowly avoiding a trial that was set to begin with jury selection already completed. In a consequential statement accompanying the settlement, Fox News acknowledged that certain on-air claims about Dominion were false, a significant admission in the wake of the 2020 election.

The settlement follows a pivotal pretrial ruling by Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis on March 31. The judge ruled that Dominion had conclusively proven that all 20 statements at the heart of its lawsuit were false, stating the evidence was “CRYSTAL clear” that none of the allegations about Dominion’s role in the election were true. This ruling on the element of falsity was a major setback for Fox’s defense ahead of the anticipated trial.

Dominion’s legal team, led by co-counsel Justin Nelson, emphasized that the settlement achieved two primary goals: providing accountability and making the company whole. The substantial financial penalty and the network’s acknowledgment of falsehoods represent, in Nelson’s words, “a strong message of accountability.” He noted this outcome sends a clear signal, as it marks the first instance where a major entity has faced significant consequences for propagating election misinformation. The internal Fox communications revealed during discovery were cited as particularly valuable to the case.

While the settlement remains a definitive conclusion to this legal chapter, it does not require on-air personalities to recant the false statements. Nonetheless, the financial cost and public admission establish a powerful precedent. As the media landscape remains focused on accountability, this case highlights the legal perils of disseminating unsubstantiated claims. The resolution remains one of the most substantial defamation settlements in history, underscoring the importance of factual reporting.