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A federal jury has ordered MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and his media platform Frankspeech to pay $2.3 million in damages to Eric Coomer, a former executive at Dominion Voting Systems, for defamatory statements falsely accusing him of treason and involvement in a non-existent election-rigging conspiracy.
The verdict, delivered Monday after a two-week trial, marks a rare legal rebuke for a central figure in efforts to undermine public trust in the 2020 presidential election — a falsehood still widely embraced by former President Donald Trump and his allies.
What the Jury Decided
The jury found Lindell defamed Coomer twice, including a May 2021 statement calling him a “traitor” and an April 2022 claim that Coomer was involved in “the biggest crime this world has ever seen.” Both statements were made publicly — the first following a Newsmax apology to Coomer, and the second just after Lindell was served with Coomer’s lawsuit.
The jury also held Lindell’s media platform, Frankspeech, liable for defamatory remarks made during a 2021 election fraud symposium it hosted. However, jurors cleared Lindell on eight other counts involving statements by himself and others on the platform.
Coomer, Dominion’s former director of product strategy and security, has faced a torrent of threats and harassment after being falsely accused of helping to rig the election. He sued Lindell for knowingly promoting baseless claims without evidence.
“We met the highest constitutional standard under the First Amendment,” said Coomer’s lawyer, Charles Cain, referencing the need to prove actual malice — that Lindell knew his claims were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
Lindell’s Response: “Largely Victorious”
In typical fashion, Lindell framed the jury’s decision as a partial win.
“MyPillow wasn’t found liable,” he emphasized during a broadcast on Lindell TV, hosted by Rudy Giuliani. He added that he would continue to speak out about voting machines, despite the verdict.
Lindell’s legal defense emailed supporters Tuesday, calling the case a fight for free speech, and portraying him as a lone voice challenging election integrity.
“Mike Lindell stood alone — refusing to pay hush money and refusing to apologize,” the email stated.
Coomer’s Reaction and Broader Impact
Coomer’s attorney David Beller praised the verdict, saying it held Lindell accountable not just for damaging Coomer’s reputation, but also for undermining democratic institutions.
“This verdict allows the country to heal,” Beller said, “though undoubtedly with scars money cannot hide.”
The case adds to a growing list of legal consequences for those who amplified Trump’s false election claims. Dominion previously reached a $787 million settlement with Fox News, and Coomer has additional lawsuits pending, including against former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne and a podcaster who accused him of antifa ties.
Understanding Defamation in Public Discourse
Because Coomer is a public figure and the statements related to elections — a matter of public concern — the case required jurors to meet a high legal standard set by the Supreme Court’s New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) ruling. Lindell needed to prove his claims were true or that he reasonably believed them.
But Lindell presented no credible evidence at trial to support his accusations.
The Enduring Legacy of ‘The Big Lie’
Lindell remains one of the most outspoken defenders of Donald Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Despite dozens of failed lawsuits, bipartisan audits, and statements from Trump’s own former officials dismissing fraud, Trump and his supporters — including Lindell — continue to push the narrative.
That lie fueled the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, and Trump has since pardoned more than 1,500 individuals involved. Lindell, a frequent guest at the White House during Trump’s term, has said he won’t stop spreading his election claims.
As misinformation continues to shape American politics, the verdict in this case signals that spreading falsehoods may carry real legal and financial risks — even for the loudest voices.
