Fox News and Dominion settle election defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million

WILMINGTON, Del. - Fox Corp. and its cable networks agreed Tuesday to pay $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit over false claims that Dominion's machines swayed the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

The settlement, which came after a 12-member jury had been seated for trial in the case in Delaware Superior Court, averted a weeks-long trial that could have seen top Fox TV hosts and network boss Rupert Murdoch publicly testify.

Dominion CEO John Poulos told reporters outside court that "Fox admits to telling lies" as part of the settlement.

The deal was struck as opening arguments were delayed for hours amid speculation that the parties were discussing a resolution of the case.

"The parties have resolved this case," Judge Eric Davis told jurors and 12 alternates shortly before 4 p.m. ET.

"Without you, the parties would not have been able to resolve their situation … although it's short, not the six weeks you've expected, you have done your duty," Davis said.

"The case has been resolved."

The suit by Dominion, which sells voting machines and election software, had argued that Fox News and its sister network Fox Business "intentionally and falsely" blamed Dominion for the 2020 loss of former President Donald Trump to President Joe Biden by airing unsubstantiated claims about the company.

Fox had said in court filings that its hosts' statements about Dominion were protected by the First Amendment. The company also said Dominion had not shown that the statements were made with so-called actual malice, which is the threshold for civil defamation claims.

Lawyers for Fox said nothing as they left court when asked for comment.

Fox faces a similar defamation lawsuit by another voting machine company Smartmatic over the company's work during the 2020 election.

Smartmatic's attorney J. Erik Connolly, in a statement, said, "Dominion's litigation exposed some of the misconduct and damage caused by Fox's disinformation campaign."

"Smartmatic will expose the rest," Connolly said. "Smartmatic remains committed to clearing its name, recouping the significant damage done to the company, and holding Fox accountable for undermining democracy."

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.