Fox News reached a last-minute settlement with Dominion Voting Systems just hours before the defamation trial was due to start.
The settlement spares both sides a long and difficult trial.
According to Politico, Fox settled the lawsuit for a cost of $787.5 million.
Dominion had sued Fox News for $1.6 billion.
Despite agreeing to pay out a settlement, Fox won’t have to apologize or acknowledge wrongdoing in any fashion, according to early press reports.
And while the settlement figure may appear large, a trial would have likely seen Fox executives and top hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Maria Bartiromo, Laura Ingraham, and Bret Baier, all forced to testify in court.
Judge Davis informed the court of the decision, stating: “The parties have resolved the case.”
The judge dismissed the jury after thanking them for their service.
Judge Davis applauded the professionalism of the legal teams for both sides saying, “I would be proud to be your judge in the future.”
BREAKING: Rupert Murdoch and Fox News abruptly SETTLE ‘defamation trial of century’ after jury selected https://t.co/ykOy0zyxO6
— Mirror Breaking News (@MirrorBreaking_) April 18, 2023
BREAKING: Judge says Fox and Dominion Voting Systems “resolved their case” over airing of false 2020 presidential election claims. https://t.co/lqxsxUYFKC
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 18, 2023
Dominion’s legal team leaves the courthouse pic.twitter.com/Lnv9uQup0B
— Sam Levine (@srl) April 18, 2023
Fox Corp. released a statement that said:
“We are pleased to have reached a settlement of our dispute 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.
“We are hopeful that our decision to resolve this dispute with Dominion amicably, instead of the acrimony of a divisive trial, allows the country to move forward from these issues.”
READ MORE: Pelosi Settles Lawsuit Over ‘Invasive and Harassing’ Texts, Pays Illinois Man $7,500
