Fox News being sued for $1.6bn over election rigging claim

26 March 2021, 16:23

Trump Participates in a Fox News Virtual Town Hall
Trump Participates in a Fox News Virtual Town Hall. Picture: PA

By Harriet Whitehead

A US voting company has filed a $1.6bn (£1.1bn) defamation lawsuit against Fox News over a claim that the firm had rigged the 2020 presidential election.

Dominion Voting Systems has argued that in an effort to boost its ratings, Fox News falsely claimed that the company had rigged last year's vote.

It is the first time a defamation suit has been filed against a media outlet by the firm.

Dominion has said that Fox News, which amplified inaccurate claims of altered votes, "sold a false story of election fraud in order to serve its own commercial purposes, severely injuring Dominion in the process", according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by the Associated Press.

Trump says he will concede if Electoral College confirms Biden's win

The company was targeted by claims spread by former president Donald Trump and his allies in the aftermath of his election loss to President Joe Biden.

Rioters stormed the US Capitol on 6 January, leaving five people dead, including a police officer, following allegations of election rigging.

This led to Mr Trump's historic second impeachment.

READ MORE: Donald Trump acquitted by Senate in second impeachment trial

"Fox News Media is proud of our 2020 election coverage, which stands in the highest tradition of American journalism, and we will vigorously defend against this baseless lawsuit in court," it said in a statement on Friday.

Before Dominion's lawsuit on Friday, Fox News had filed four motions to dismiss other legal actions against its coverage.

Lawyers for Dominion said Fox News' behaviour differed greatly from that of other media outlets that reported on the claims.

"This was a conscious, knowing business decision to endorse and repeat and broadcast these lies in order to keep its viewership," said lawyer Justin Nelson, of Susman Godfrey.

Dominion's employees, from its software engineers to its founder, have been harassed, some receiving death threats, and the company has suffered "enormous and irreparable economic harm", lawyers said.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Labour will reportedly 'set out plans' to boost military spending

Keir Starmer will 'set out a plan to raise defence spending to 2.5% by Spring' as tensions with Russia rise

King Charles III And Queen Camilla

King Charles 'planning tour of India' in latest health boost following cancer treatment

King Charles attends the Royal Variety Performance 2024

King Charles all smiles as he meets Sir Elton John on solo Royal Variety appearance

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping

West is facing its 'most serious and dangerous challenge' since World War Two, ex-general warns

Exclusive
UK prisoners could be sent to Poland after new talks.

Polish criminals languishing in UK jails could be deported from British prisons in new deal

Storm Bert is set to bring snow and heavy winds

Brits warned of travel chaos as Storm Bert to bring snow, heavy rain and flooding

Zelensky promises 'serious response' following Russia's use of new hypersonic missiles

Zelenskyy promises 'serious response' following Russia's use of new hypersonic missiles

Russia has said it will begin mass production on an "unstoppable" missile.

Russia to begin mass production of 'unstoppable' ballistic missile, Putin warns as Zelenskyy urges 'serious response'

The Met could lose 2,000 officers

Met Police could lose 2,000 officers as force's budget 'may be slashed by £450 million'

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor vows to appeal decision after civil jury finds he raped woman in hotel

The new advert was published this week.

Jaguar bosses hit back at ‘vile hatred and intolerance’ following new rebrand

UK prisoners could be sent to Poland after new talks.

'Detailed prison maps' leak on dark web as fears grow of jail escapes

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor raped woman in hotel, civil jury finds, as she is awarded damages

Donald Trump

Donald Trump hush money sentencing postponed as judge says president-elect can seek dismissal

Hostel at centre of 'mass methanol poisoning' offered free shots in exchange for good reviews, backpacker claims

Hostel at centre of 'mass methanol poisoning' offered free shots in exchange for good reviews, backpacker claims