4 Feb 2021
Court case
How the Fox, Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits unfolded
Dominion Voting Systems alleged that Fox News Network and its parent Fox Corporation defamed it by broadcasting false claims after the 2020 US election that its machines and software rigged the vote, and sought $1.6 billion. Smartmatic separately alleges that Fox News, Fox Corporation and several hosts defamed it with similar claims, and seeks $2.7 billion.
4 February 2021 to today · 7 dated events · 10 sources
Where it stands now · as of 30 October 2026
As of 30 October 2026 the Dominion litigation is settled and closed, and the Smartmatic suit against Fox is pending in the New York Supreme Court with no trial date identified.
Overview · 4 Feb 2021 to 7 May 2026 · click a dot to jump
2021
26 Mar 2021
Dominion sues Fox News Network in Delaware Superior Court. A separate suit against Fox Corporation follows in November 2021
· · · 24 months later
2023
31 Mar 2023
Turning point
Delaware court grants Dominion partial summary judgment, including on falsity
Opinion on cross-motions for summary judgment, C.A. Nos. N21C-03-257 EMD and N21C-11-082 EMD. Denied the summary judgment motions of Fox News Network and Fox Corporation. Granted Dominion summary judgment in part on falsity, on whether the statements were of and concerning Dominion, and on publication by Fox News Network. Declined summary judgment on actual malice and on publication by Fox Corporation. Reporting states the court also rejected Fox's opinion and neutral reporting defenses and held the statements defamatory per se, leaving actual malice and damages for the jury.
18 Apr 2023
Fox and Dominion settle for $787.5 million as the trial is about to open
Form 8-K disclosing Release and Settlement Agreement. Fox Corporation and Fox News Network agreed with Dominion to resolve the lawsuits among them for $787.5 million to be paid to Dominion. Judge Davis told the seated jury that the parties had resolved the case.
2024
24 Jan 2024
New York trial court allows Smartmatic's claims against Fox Corporation to proceed
Rulings in Smartmatic USA Corp. v. Fox Corporation, Index No. 151136/21. Allowed Smartmatic's claims against Fox Corporation to proceed and denied Smartmatic's motion to dismiss Fox's counterclaim. In January 2025 the Appellate Division, First Department, rejected Fox Corporation's appeal seeking dismissal of the claims against it, as reported by Salon.
2025
9 Jan 2025
Salon reports that the Appellate Division, First Department, rejected Fox Corporation's bid to be dismissed from the Smartmatic suit that week
· · · 16 months later
2026
7 May 2026
Turning point
Appellate Division decides Fox's appeal on discovery and stay issues, and the case continues
Smartmatic USA Corp. v. Fox Corp., 2026 NY Slip Op 02891. Decided Fox's appeal from an order of Justice Cohen entered on or about 2 December 2025 that denied the defendants' motion to vacate in part a judicial hearing officer's 14 October 2025 discovery report and their motion to stay the action. The full decision text was not obtained. A Mediaite opinion column reports that the court allowed Fox further discovery bearing on damages and did not stay the case.
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Sources
10 records, ranked by type- 1Official record31 Mar 2023US Dominion, Inc. v. Fox News Network, LLC and US Dominion, Inc. v. Fox Corporation, C.A. Nos. N21C-03-257 EMD and N21C-11-082 EMD, opinion on summary judgmentSuperior Court of the State of Delaware · courts.delaware.gov
- 2Subject's own statement19 Apr 2023Fox Corporation Form 8-K, date of report 2023-04-18Fox Corporation (filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission) · investor.foxcorporation.com
- 3News report18 Apr 2023Fox to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle election defamation lawsuitCNBC · cnbc.com
- 4News report31 Mar 2023Judge rules Fox hosts' claims about Dominion were false, says trial can proceed (NPR)WFAE · wfae.org
- 5Official record7 May 2026Smartmatic USA Corp. v. Fox Corp., 2026 NY Slip Op 02891 (App Div, 1st Dept)Leagle (reproducing the Appellate Division decision) · leagle.com
- 6Source9 May 2026Court Grants Fox News Additional Discovery in Smartmatic Case, But Allows Case to Move ForwardMediaite (opinion column) · mediaite.com
- 7News report25 Jan 2024Fox News and Smartmatic Earn Separate Wins as Part of High-Priced Legal BattleAdweek TVNewser · adweek.com
- 8News reportFox And Smartmatic Seek Summary Judgments In Latest Filings In Defamation Case (Deadline)Yahoo News · yahoo.com
- 9News report9 Jan 2025Fox loses appeal to duck $2.7 billion Smartmatic defamation suitSalon · salon.com
- 10News report4 Feb 2021Election tech company sues Fox News, Giuliani and others for $2.7 billion (NPR)WFAE · wfae.org
Last updated 30 October 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.