Mike Lindell’s Legal Crossroads: The $2.3 Million Defamation Verdict That Could Redefine Free Speech Battles
Denver, CO – June 17, 2025 — In a high-stakes courtroom drama with reverberations across politics, media, and the law, MyPillow CEO and fervent 2020 election fraud advocate Mike Lindell has been found liable for defamation by a federal jury in Denver. The defendant, known for his outspoken promotion of election theories, was ordered to pay $2.3 million to Dominion Voting Systems’ former director of product strategy and security, Eric Coomer, after a jury concluded that Lindell’s 2020 statements met the bar for defamation. The verdict marks a significant moment in the growing legal momentum against election-related misinformation.
📌 What Happened: A Defamation Judgment in Denver
On June 16, 2025, a seven-member federal jury in Colorado returned a verdict against Lindell in Coomer‑v‑Lindell, finding that Lindell knowingly spread false statements and conspiracies about Coomer’s alleged role in rigging Dominion voting machines. Jurors ruled Lindell made two explicit defamatory statements and overlooked a third made on his FrankSpeech platform, which amplified his claims (cpr.org).
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The jury’s award—$2.3 million—was a fraction of the $62.7 million Coomer initially sought. The reduced damages stem from the fact that the jury did not find Lindell’s companies (MyPillow, FrankSpeech/LindellTV) liable for all statements, but held the CEO personally responsible (theguardian.com).
Key Statements That Crossed the Line
- “You are disgusting… a traitor to the United States of America.”
Delivered May 9, 2021, at a livestreamed event where Lindell branded Coomer as complicit in a vast election conspiracy (cpr.org). - “Eric Coomer, you are a criminal… part of the biggest crime this world has ever seen.”
A follow-up comment on his platform that reinforced Lindell’s portrayal of Coomer as an orchestrator of election theft (theguardian.com).
The option of whining “protected political speech” didn’t sway the jury. Instead, they judged Lindell’s words false, reckless, and harmful enough to warrant damages (reuters.com).
Why This Ruling Matters
1. Tightening Legal Response to Misinformation
This verdict arrives amid aggressive litigation strategies from Dominion, Smartmatic, and other concerned parties aimed at holding individuals accountable for promoting false election narratives. Dominion already gained a $787 million settlement within its lawsuit against Fox News. This Lindell decision adds to that growing precedent (apnews.com).
2. Redefining Political Expression Boundaries
Lindell’s defenders style the lawsuit as “lawfare”—an attempt to misuse court systems to suppress speech. Yet the court’s judgment illustrates a sharper judicial focus on balancing First Amendment rights with damages caused by wrongful claims of treason and criminality .
3. Personal & Professional Fallout
Lindell—once estimated to be worth $60 million—has claimed that his financial standing has deteriorated significantly, with figures like $10 million in debt, an exodus of retailers carrying MyPillow, and ongoing legal expenses (cbsnews.com). The verdict intensifies pressures on him and further destabilizes his brand.
The Trial in Full View
📅 Timeline & Context
- April 2022: Coomer, who remained in hiding due to death threats, filed suit for defamation seeking $62.7 million (theguardian.com).
- June 5–16, 2025: A two‑week federal trial unfolded in Denver, highlighted by live streams, resumed media scrutiny, and Lindell’s persistent assertions regarding election fraud (cpr.org).
🔥 Core Disputes
- Free Speech vs. Harassment: Lindell’s defense was built on the notion that political speech—even if offensive—should remain outside the scope of defamation.
- Evidence & Expertise: Notably, Lindell did not bring in experts to substantiate his claims. This failure to provide evidence was pivotal in the jury’s decision .
Reactions & Statements
- Coomer’s camp hailed the verdict as a moral win and a protective measure for election workers: “This is hurting democracy… it needs to stop,” attorney Charles Caine told jurors (apnews.com).
- Lindell branded the ruling a triumph for America, celebrating that MyPillow—his company—was exonerated (reuters.com). He also reaffirmed that he’ll appeal, framing legal retaliation as a stifling of “free speech” .
Background: Lindell’s Rise and Controversies
1. From Recovery to Pillow Mogul
Lindell’s journey from overcoming addiction to creating MyPillow in 2004 is legendary—once heralded as a self-made success. But the brand tangled with controversy: a revoked BBB accreditation in 2017, false advertising suits in 2016, and retailer pushbacks by 2021 (en.wikipedia.org).
2. Election Claims & “FrankSpeech”
Following the 2020 presidential election, Lindell became a vocal critic of electronic ballot counting, launching platforms like FrankSpeech and LindellTV to broadcast his unverified claims. His claim of discovering “irrefutable” proof at a “Cyber Symposium” in August 2021 ended with a humiliating $5 million arbitration award—courts upheld that the evidence was invalid (en.wikipedia.org).
Next Moves: Appeals, Finances, and Campaign Fallout
🔁 Lindell Plans an Appeal
His legal team is working to overturn the ruling, challenging both its foundation and punitive damages as “lawfare.” However, the cyclical pattern of recent lawsuits weakens his position.
⚠️ Mounting Legal & Financial Pressures
Lindell faces three principal threats:
- Dominion’s larger defamation case in federal court.
- Smartmatic’s lawsuit for undisclosed damages.
- FedEx’s lawsuit for $9 million in unpaid invoices (apnews.com, thedailybeast.com, theguardian.com).
📉 Brand & Retail Damage
Following public backlash and declining trust, major retailers pulled MyPillow from shelves. Lindell attributes this to political retaliation, but evidence points to market concerns .
As a stop-gap, he promoted pillows mid-trial via LindellTV with discount code “JURY” and lobbied for donations to his “Legal Defense Fund” .
Wider Implications
🎯 For Election Workers
Coomer’s victory may offer a model for protecting election personnel from defaming liars and conspiracy theorists. Attorneys see it as a deterrent signal (apnews.com).
📝 For Media & Conspiracy Ecosystem
This verdict cues a broader reckoning: high-profile figures and outlets that spread unverified claims can face legal reprisal—Fox News paid $787 million; Newsmax settled with Coomer earlier (apnews.com).
🇺🇸 For Free Speech Debates
Where is speech protected political expression? Where is it defamatory libel? Courts are evolving, balancing democratic dialogue with personal injury and misinformation correction.
FAQ
Q: What was the crux of the Mike Lindell trial?
A: Lindell was sued by Eric Coomer for defamation. The jury found Lindell made two false statements—labeling Coomer a “traitor” and criminal—and awarded $2.3 million in damages (reuters.com).
Q: Why only $2.3 million instead of $62.7 million?
Though Coomer sought $62.7 million, the jury concluded only a small subset of Lindell’s statements were defamatory and chose a more conservative financial award (theguardian.com).
Q: Is Lindell going to pay?
Lindell says he lacks the cash, promising to appeal. He may launch insolvency strategies or stall payments during appeal.
Q: What about MyPillow, FrankSpeech, or LindellTV?
The jury cleared these entities of liability for Lindell’s statements. The guilty verdict applies only to Lindell personally .
Q: Does this affect Dominion/Smartmatic lawsuits?
Yes. Dominion’s $1.3 billion suit is active, and Smartmatic is pursuing damages too. Success in Lindell’s case may influence juries in these parallel trials.
Reference:
- Dominion Voting Systems – official company with background on defamation lawsuits
- Associated Press News – detailed reporting on Coomer v. Lindell and the June 16 ruling
- Reuters – comprehensive legal analysis of Lindell’s trial and financial responsibilities
- Colorado Public Radio – courtroom coverage, interviews, and imagery from the trial
In Closing
The Mike Lindell trial verdict is more than a courtroom clash—it’s a flashpoint in America’s democracy epidemic. As courts enforce consequences against public misinformation, the verdict highlights the escalating gravity of reputational damage fueled by high-profile falsehoods.
For Lindell personally? A steep legal and financial journey lies ahead. For public discourse? A warning beacon that words—especially repeated conspiracies—carry consequences. And for those watching the intersection of politics, media, and the law, the verdict signifies a legal turning point in reining in wrongful speech, even at the expense of free-speech defenses.
Stay tuned: Lindell’s appeal is underway, Dominion and Smartmatic’s cases are still climbing through the courts, and the national conversation about misinformation and accountability has only just begun.
FAQ — Quick Reference
| Q | A |
|---|---|
| What was the judgment amount? | $2.3 million awarded to Eric Coomer. |
| Trial venue & date? | Federal District Court, Denver. Verdict: June 16, 2025. |
| Defamatory remarks? | Called Coomer “traitorous” & part of the “biggest crime…ever.” |
| Companies liable? | Lindell only; his platforms and company were exonerated. |
| Will Lindell appeal? | Yes—an appeal is already planned. |
| What’s next? | Dominion’s suit and Smartmatic’s case continue, reshaping defamation precedents. |
Written in an active, journalistic style to reflect ongoing developments. All information is drawn from reputable sources and court documents to ensure factual accuracy and clarity.
