Fox News has been spared the indignity of airing out its dirty, insurrection-sparking laundry in court after reaching a last-minute settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.
The deal was brokered just hours before the defamation case against the right-wing media corporation was set to begin. According to reports, after swearing in a jury early Tuesday morning, the trial was delayed by two hours, leading reporters to believe the two parties were negotiating a settlement behind closed doors. Though we don’t yet know all the details involved in the deal, we do know that, as part of the settlement, Fox News must pay Dominion over $787 million. While that number is staggering, it’s considerably less than the $1.6 billion the company was initially seeking after claiming the lies publicized on Fox channels concerning potential incidents of voter fraud connected to Dominion machines harmed the company’s reputation.
Dominion’s attorney Justin Nelson says the settlement represents “vindication and accountability.”
“The truth matters, lies have consequences,” he continued. “Over two years ago, a torrent of lies swept Dominion and election officials across America into an alternative universe of conspiracy theories, causing grievous harm.”
For its part, Fox was forced to put out a statement acknowledging the network knew its voter fraud conspiracy theories were lies and admitting responsibility for the harm it caused while also claiming to have the “highest journalistic standards.”
New: Fox News statement on $787.5m settlement with Dominion Voting Systems: “We acknowledge the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false. This settlement reflects FOX’s continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards.”
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) April 18, 2023
Of course, the settlement means that a number of high-profile on-air correspondents are now saved from testifying on the stand, but the deal is still an embarrassing result for Rupert Murdoch’s conservative brainchild. Some couldn’t help but celebrate that fact.
Let’s hope the settlement includes Fox “anchors” reading a statement on the air about their election lies and misinformation every day, on every show, for a year. #DominionvFox https://t.co/H4pI5V3OSe
— Ludicrously Capacious (@mfredericks1x) April 18, 2023
But the larger consensus was disappointment over the fact that we were this close to watching Tucker Carlson go full Alex Jones on the stand.
When you announce your settlement of a case involving your lies, by lying some more: “Fox’s continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards” #DominionvFox https://t.co/95isGIEtKD
— @loudlonger (@loudlonger) April 18, 2023
Damnit.
I was really looking forward to Tucker, Hannity and Laura on the witness stand being forced to do something they never do.
Tell the truth. #DominionvFox
— Heather Gardner (@heathergtv) April 18, 2023
Not Fox News settling the Dominion Voting Systems case. I was hoping to see the Fox News Anchors hauled into court and questioned.#FoxNews #DominionVotingSystems #FoxSettled#DominionvFox pic.twitter.com/XisdBM6Ycz
— August Zander (@AuggieZander) April 18, 2023
I feel cheated. Really wanted Murdoch and Tucker et al to be crossed examined. #DominionvFox https://t.co/Trbnokrj8N
— SheilaSasha
(@1PrincessWombat) April 18, 2023
(Via CNN)