Smartmatic targets Rupert Murdoch over family trust changes in Fox News lawsuit
- Smartmatic is pursuing a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News regarding claims of voting fraud.
- Lawyers for Smartmatic wish to question Rupert Murdoch about his modifications to his family trust amid an ongoing succession dispute.
- The outcome of these legal efforts may determine Fox Corp.'s liability for the allegations aired during the 2020 election coverage.
In a legal battle unfolding in the U.S., a voting machine company named Smartmatic is suing Fox News for $2.7 billion over defamation linked to reporting on alleged voting fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Smartmatic's attorneys are interested in questioning Rupert Murdoch, the founder of Fox, about his efforts to modify his family trust amid a separate succession dispute concerning his media empire. This questioning aims to investigate any potential links to editorial decisions made by Fox Corp. regarding the allegations presented by then-President Donald Trump's legal team. While Fox News maintains that their broadcasts fell within journalistic practices and do not constitute defamation, they face a challenge holding them accountable for the claims aired, especially given that election officials confirmed no widespread fraud occurred. The case is still developing in a Nevada probate court with significant implications for both Smartmatic and Fox News as they prepare for upcoming hearings related to pretrial evidence gathering.