Fox Dominion Settlement: $787.5 Million, and the Smartmatic Case That Is Still Open
Questions about this case?
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The fox dominion settlement is closed. On April 18, 2023, Fox Corporation and Fox News agreed to pay $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems — a company, not a class of viewers or voters. There was never a claim form, fund or deadline for the public. A second voting-technology company, Smartmatic, is still suing Fox for $2.7 billion in New York; as of October 2026 that case has no trial date.
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Two Lawsuits Alleged
Both suits are defamation cases over Fox coverage after the 2020 presidential election. Dominion alleged that Fox programs broadcast false claims that its voting machines had been rigged, and sought $1.6 billion. Fox argued it was reporting newsworthy allegations made by others.
Smartmatic alleges the same kind of harm over separate broadcasts and seeks $2.7 billion. Smartmatic says its systems were used only in Los Angeles County in 2020. Fox says the claims are without merit and argues that any lost business was caused by Smartmatic’s own legal troubles. Those are allegations and defenses; no jury has decided the Smartmatic claims.
Case Details
Dominion (resolved): US Dominion, Inc. v. Fox News Network, LLC, No. N21C-03-257, and the related suit against Fox Corporation, No. N21C-11-082, in the Delaware Superior Court before Judge Eric M. Davis. Fox’s Form 8-K confirms the settlement agreement of April 18, 2023.
Smartmatic (pending): Smartmatic USA Corp. v. Fox Corporation, Index No. 151136/2021, Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, before Justice David B. Cohen. Defendants include Fox Corporation and Fox News Network LLC.
Shareholders: In re Fox Corporation Deriv. Litig., C.A. No. 2023-0418, in the Delaware Court of Chancery — a derivative suit against directors and officers on the company’s behalf, not a payout to viewers.
Status: Dominion Paid in 2023, Smartmatic Still Pending
Smartmatic: active, pretrial. Summary judgment motions were argued on December 2, 2025. In its annual report filed August 6, 2026, Fox said no trial date had been set and a trial was not expected until later in 2026 at the earliest. The most recent appellate ruling we could confirm came on May 7, 2026: the Appellate Division allowed Fox extra discovery into how the federal criminal case against Smartmatic affected its business. As of October 2026 we found no published ruling on summary judgment and no settlement.
Are You Affected?
Almost certainly not, as a claimant. These are defamation suits brought by companies over damage to their own reputation. Viewers, voters and cable subscribers are not class members, and no court has created a class.
Fox shareholders are the one group with a related case, and it is derivative: any recovery in the Delaware Chancery suit would go to Fox Corporation itself, not to individual stockholders. Nothing there requires you to file anything.
Is There Money for the Public?
The Smartmatic case has no settlement, no fund, no claim form and no deadline. Fox told investors a loss there is “neither probable nor reasonably estimable.” Smartmatic settled a separate suit against Newsmax; reports put that amount at $40 million. That also went to the company.
Fox, Dominion and Smartmatic Timeline
- 1
February 2021 — Smartmatic Sues Fox
Smartmatic files in New York state court seeking $2.7 billion, Index No. 151136/2021.
- 2
March 26, 2021 — Dominion Sues Fox News
Dominion files a $1.6 billion defamation suit in Delaware Superior Court. A motion to dismiss is denied on December 16, 2021.
- 3
March 31, 2023 — Summary Judgment on Falsity
Judge Eric M. Davis rules the disputed statements about Dominion were not true and sends the actual-malice question to trial.
- 4
April 18, 2023 — $787.5 Million Settlement
As opening statements are about to begin, Fox and Dominion settle. Fox acknowledges the court’s falsity rulings; no apology is required.
- 5
December 2, 2025 — Smartmatic Summary Judgment Argued
Both sides argue summary judgment motions before Justice David B. Cohen in New York County.
- 6
May 7, 2026 — Extra Discovery for Fox
The Appellate Division lets Fox explore the impact of the federal indictment on Smartmatic’s business. As of October 2026, no trial date has been reported.
Three Things to Watch For
A famous $787.5 million number attracts imposters, even though no viewer was ever owed a cent of it:
“Claim your share of the Fox Dominion settlement”
There is no share to claim. The money was paid to Dominion under a private settlement agreement. Any site asking for your bank details or Social Security number to “release your payment” is collecting data, not paying claims.
“Smartmatic class action” sign-ups
Smartmatic v. Fox is one company suing another. There is no class to join and no form to file. A message saying you qualify because you watched Fox News or voted in 2020 describes a case that does not exist.
Fake shareholder “settlement” notices
The Delaware Chancery case is a derivative suit; any recovery goes to Fox Corporation. A real shareholder notice comes through the court process and never asks for a fee to “process” a payment.
Fox Dominion Settlement — Questions People Actually Ask
How much did Fox pay Dominion?
$787.5 million, under a settlement agreement dated April 18, 2023, according to Fox’s Form 8-K. Dominion had sought $1.6 billion.
Can I get money from the fox dominion settlement?
No. It was a settlement between companies. There was no class, no fund for the public, no administrator and no claim form, and the case is closed.
Did Fox admit it lied?
Fox stated that it acknowledged “the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false.” The settlement did not require an on-air apology, and the actual-malice question never went to a jury.
Is the Smartmatic lawsuit the same case?
No. It is a separate suit, Index No. 151136/2021, in New York County Supreme Court, seeking $2.7 billion. It was filed in February 2021 and is still pending.
When is the Smartmatic trial?
No date has been set. Fox’s annual report filed August 6, 2026 said a trial was not expected until later in 2026 at the earliest. Summary judgment motions argued on December 2, 2025 had no published ruling that we could confirm as of October 2026.
What does the Smartmatic indictment have to do with Fox?
In October 2025 the Justice Department announced charges against Smartmatic, alleging bribery of foreign officials and money laundering tied to business in the Philippines. Those are allegations. Fox argues they explain Smartmatic’s losses, and on May 7, 2026 the Appellate Division allowed Fox discovery on that point.
Did Smartmatic settle with other networks?
Yes. Smartmatic settled with Newsmax in September 2024, shortly after jury selection began in Delaware; reports put the amount at $40 million.
I own Fox stock. Is there a shareholder case?
Yes: In re Fox Corporation Deriv. Litig., C.A. No. 2023-0418, in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The court denied a motion to dismiss on December 27, 2024. Because it is derivative, any recovery would go to the company, and there is no claim form.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.
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