On October 30, 2023, a notable ruling emerged from a federal jury in Colorado concerning the prominent election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell, the founder of the popular bedding brand MyPillow. The jury found Lindell liable for defamation against Eric Coomer, a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems, a leading voting technology company. This decision marked a significant turn in the ongoing legal battles related to claims surrounding the 2020 presidential election, where unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud were pervasive. The court ruled in favor of Coomer, awarding him $2.3 million in damages for the detrimental impact Lindell’s statements have had on his life and career.
Coomer, who held the position of security and product strategy director at Dominion Voting Systems in Denver, became an unwitting target of conspiracy theories propagated by Lindell and other associates of former President Donald Trump after the election results began to favor Democrat Joe Biden. These conspiracy theories hinted at issues of treachery and fraud, particularly implicating the voting machines operated by Dominion, which were falsely blamed for altering vote counts. Trump himself, despite losing to Biden, persistently claimed that the election was marred by significant fraud, a narrative that his supporters, including Lindell, fervently echoed.
The ongoing defamation crises surrounding voting technology firms extended further when Dominion reached a landmark settlement of $787 million with Fox News concerning similar claims. This settlement was indicative of the growing scrutiny and accountability being faced by media outlets that propagated false narratives regarding the 2020 election. Additionally, the conservative news network Newsmax also issued an apology to Coomer in 2021 after airing defamatory content concerning him, further illustrating the contentious environment surrounding election narratives.
During the two-week trial against Lindell, Coomer candidly recounted how his life was drastically altered due to the conspiracy theories that spread about him, asserting that Lindell’s accusations led to the destruction of his career. Coomer’s legal team contended that Lindell either knowingly disseminated false information or did so recklessly, devoid of any consideration for the truth. While Lindell’s legal defense denied these charges vehemently, arguing that his now-rebranded media platform, known as Frankspeech, should not be held liable for the content shared by others, the jury sided with Coomer, ultimately highlighting the impact of defamation in the realm of public discourse.
Interestingly, during the trial, Lindell continued to stand by his claims regarding the alleged electoral misconduct, even though he did not present any expert testimonials to substantiate his claims. He attributed his beliefs about the election being “stolen” in part to his consumption of the HBO documentary “Kill Chain,” which highlighted vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems, and the influence of Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, who propagated theories of foreign interference in U.S. elections.
Lindell’s comments throughout the proceedings reflected his staunch belief in conspiracy theories despite the absence of supportive evidence. He asserted that he was motivated to draw public attention to the supposed issues surrounding electronic voting machines, claiming his advocacy led to his financial downfall, reducing his worth from about $60 million to $10 million in debt. This narrative contrasted sharply with the facts that have emerged post-election, including numerous recounts and audits conducted across contested battleground states, all of which affirmed Biden’s victory while revealing no evidence of widespread fraud. Additionally, Trump’s own attorney general publicly stated that no substantial fraud had occurred, further dismantling the baseless claims being perpetuated by Lindell and his allies.
In the courtroom, attorneys representing Coomer made a case emphasizing the immense harm inflicted on his professional reputation and personal wellbeing due to Lindell’s defamatory comments. They underscored that even prior to Lindell’s involvement, Coomer was already facing repercussions due to the dissemination of conspiracy theories, reinforcing the damaging environment Lindell contributed to. However, Lindell maintained that his statements were aimed at broader public issues and defended them under the First Amendment, asserting the right to express concerns related to elections as matters of public interest.
This case appears to mark a significant moment in the ongoing struggle against disinformation in the political sphere, particularly regarding the discourse surrounding electoral integrity. As the legal battles continue, it stands as a stark reminder of the consequences that can ensue when falsehoods are allowed to propagate unchecked, resulting in tangible harm to individuals and institutions alike. The ruling against Lindell, therefore, acts as a pivotal point in holding influential figures accountable for their role in the proliferation of defamatory claims, underscoring the importance of ethical discourse in democratic societies.