N※N

Smartmatic Lawsuit Against Fox News Intensifies with DOJ's 'Credible Evidence'

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ws-intensifies-with-doj-s-credible-evidence.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, February 17th 2026 at 8:49 GMT by CNN
      Locales: UNITED STATES, PHILIPPINES, VENEZUELA

Washington D.C. - February 17th, 2026 - A lawsuit brought by Smartmatic against Fox News, Rudy Giuliani, and Sidney Powell has gained significant momentum following the Justice Department's revelation of "credible evidence" suggesting bribery attempts related to the dissemination of false claims about the 2020 presidential election. The DOJ filing, made in Delaware on Friday, dramatically elevates the stakes in the ongoing case, which began in 2021, and introduces a potentially explosive international dimension to the post-election fallout.

Smartmatic's suit alleges that Fox News knowingly amplified false and defamatory information concerning the company and Dominion Voting Systems, resulting in substantial reputational damage and significant financial losses. The core of the complaint centers on the accusation that Fox News disregarded evidence debunking the claims of widespread voter fraud, instead prioritizing sensationalism and catering to a politically engaged audience eager to believe allegations of a "stolen election."

However, the DOJ's intervention goes beyond simply supporting the claim of defamation. The filing details an investigation into allegations that individuals connected to former President Donald Trump's 2020 campaign actively sought to influence Philippine officials, offering them undisclosed "benefits" in exchange for public statements supporting the baseless claims of election fraud. While the specifics of these alleged benefits remain under seal, the implications are deeply concerning, suggesting a concerted effort to manufacture international legitimacy for a domestic conspiracy theory.

US District Judge Donald W. Forrester, in his assessment of the DOJ's findings, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "The evidence, if believed, suggests a broader effort to use foreign governments to validate false claims about the 2020 election," he wrote. This paints a picture far more insidious than simply irresponsible reporting; it hints at a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the US electoral process by leveraging foreign actors.

Giuliani and Powell, both prominent figures in Trump's legal team following the election, are also named as defendants in the suit. They stand accused of actively spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories designed to bolster Trump's unsubstantiated claims of a stolen election. Their relentless promotion of these narratives, through media appearances and legal filings, formed a crucial part of the foundation upon which the alleged defamation against Smartmatic and Dominion was built.

Fox News, for its part, has consistently maintained that its coverage of the election fraud allegations constituted legitimate reporting on claims made by Giuliani, Powell, and Trump himself. The network argues that it was merely presenting different sides of a contentious issue, and is protected by the First Amendment. However, Smartmatic contends that Fox News went far beyond simply reporting claims - it actively promoted and endorsed them, knowing they were false.

The DOJ's filing is a pivotal moment in the case. Judge Forrester acknowledged the "highly relevant" nature of the evidence presented and indicated it is "likely to influence the outcome" of the proceedings. This suggests the DOJ's findings could overcome Fox News's defense of simply reporting on the statements of others, potentially establishing a clear link between the network's broadcasts and the damage suffered by Smartmatic.

This case is not occurring in a vacuum. Dominion Voting Systems also filed a similar lawsuit against Fox News, ultimately reaching a historic $787.5 million settlement in 2023. That settlement served as a clear signal that media organizations could be held accountable for knowingly broadcasting false and defamatory statements. The Smartmatic case, with the added weight of the DOJ's evidence regarding potential bribery, could further solidify that precedent.

The broader implications of these lawsuits extend beyond the financial realm. They raise fundamental questions about the responsibility of media outlets to verify information before disseminating it, particularly in an era of increasingly polarized political discourse and the proliferation of misinformation. The alleged attempt to involve foreign governments in validating false election claims represents a dangerous escalation, potentially undermining trust in democratic institutions both domestically and internationally. The legal battles surrounding the 2020 election continue to unfold, shaping the landscape of media accountability and the future of political discourse in the United States.