Dominion Voting Sues MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell For Defamation Over Election Conspiracy
Topline
Dominion Voting Systems filed a lawsuit Monday against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for defamation after the Trump ally spread baseless claims about the company’s voting machines, the latest in a string of high-dollar lawsuits Dominion has waged against right-wing figures who spread conspiracy theories about election fraud.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell outside the West Wing of the White House on January 15, 2021. (Photo by … [+]
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Key Facts
The $1.3 billion lawsuit alleges Lindell “sells the lie” involving the company’s voting machines fraudulently flipping votes to Joe Biden knowing it is false, “because the lie sells pillows.”
MyPillow sponsored rallies that pushed election fraud claims, offered discount codes related to the conspiracy theory and advertised on right-wing news networks where the claims were being pushed, the lawsuit notes, alleging Lindell “knowingly lied about Dominion to sell more pillows to people who continued tuning in to hear what they wanted to hear about the election.”
Dominion had previously sent Lindell two letters warning of potential litigation after he started spreading the conspiracy theory, saying his “smear campaign against Dominion has been relentless” and harmed the company.
Lindell doubled down on his attacks against Dominion in response to their threats, releasing a documentary pushing his election fraud claims that included allegations about their voting machines.
The company had suggested Lindell would likely be sued as a result, with spokesperson Michael Steel telling CNN the CEO “is begging to be sued, and at some point we may well oblige him.”
Chief Critic
Lindell previously told Forbes in an interview he would “welcome” Dominion suing him, believing he has “100% proof” of their election fraud. “I welcome Dominion to sue me. I welcome it. Please,” Lindell said in January. “Please sue me…and then you can show us all about your machines.”
Key Background
Lindell’s lawsuit comes after Dominion previously filed similar litigation against attorneys Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani. Rival voting company Smartmatic has also sued Powell, Giuliani, Fox News and several of its anchors. The companies’ voting machines are at the center of a conspiracy theory alleging they “flipped” votes in the presidential election and fraudulently elected Joe Biden, which has found favor among the far right thanks to figures like Powell, Giuliani and Lindell who have relentlessly pushed the claims. There is no evidence to substantiate the fraud claims, however, and lawsuits involving the allegations have repeatedly failed in court.
Tangent
Lindell has already faced consequences for spreading election fraud claims, including getting banned from Twitter and a number of major retailers dropping his company’s products. One America News (OAN) aired Lindell’s documentary on its network but aired a lengthy legal disclaimer distancing the media outlet from his claims, saying OAN does not “adopt or endorse” Lindell’s views and his statements should not be taken as “actual facts.”
What To Watch For
Dominion is expected to pursue even more defamation lawsuits against others who have spread the claims against them. The company has sent letters warning of potential litigation to more than 150 individuals, and has asked social media networks to preserve posts from key figures like former Trump advisor Michael Flynn and pro-Trump attorneys Jenna Ellis and Lin Wood. Dominion has also suggested it’s likely to sue right-wing media networks for their role in perpetuating the conspiracy theory, and has singled out Newsmax, OAN, Fox News and media stars like Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro, Lou Dobbs and Sean Hannity. The voting company has also asked social networks to preserve posts by former President Donald Trump and his campaign, and has said repeatedly they have not ruled out suing the ex-president.
Further Reading
OAN Tries To Distance Itself From MyPillow CEO’s Fraud Claims — But Will Air His Documentary (Forbes)
Fox News, Sidney Powell, Giuliani Face Billion-Dollar Defamation Lawsuits—Here’s Who Could Be Next (Forbes)
Newsmax Anchor Cuts Off Mike Lindell As Network Braces For Lawsuit From Dominion (Forbes)
*** This article has been archived for your research. The original version from Forbes can be found here ***
