Jury Deliberates in High-Stakes Trial Over Defamation Claims Tied to Election Fraud Allegations

Accusations of Treason Lead to Courtroom Battle

A closely watched defamation trial in Denver has reached a critical point, as jurors began deliberating the fate of Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, who is accused of spreading false and damaging claims about a former Dominion Voting Systems executive. The plaintiff, Eric Coomer, alleges that Lindell repeatedly and recklessly defamed him by tying him to baseless 2020 election conspiracy theories.

The trial, which began on June 2 in the U.S. District Court in Denver, is the latest in a series of legal actions sparked by misinformation about the 2020 presidential election. Coomer’s legal team is seeking a combined $62.7 million in damages and a full retraction of Lindell’s statements.

Who is Eric Coomer and Why is He Suing?

Eric Coomer, a former security director at Dominion Voting Systems and a Colorado resident, filed the lawsuit in April 2022. Coomer argues that Lindell publicly accused him of committing crimes — including treason — without evidence, and amplified those accusations across multiple media appearances and events.

Coomer’s legal team told the jury that these public allegations not only ruined his career but caused deep emotional distress and threatened his personal safety.

“This wasn’t speculation or opinion,” Coomer’s attorney said during closing arguments. “It was presented as fact — that Eric Coomer committed a crime — and that is defamation.”

The Role of the Cyber Symposium and Conspiracy Amplification

One of the focal points of the trial is the 2021 “Cyber Symposium” hosted by Lindell. During this event, Lindell featured podcast host Joe Oltmann, who had previously accused “Eric, the Dominion guy” of conspiring with the far-left group “antifa” to manipulate election results in favor of Joe Biden. Oltmann directly named Coomer and was allowed to repeat his claims on stage without evidence or challenge.

Coomer’s attorneys argued that Lindell’s actions in hosting and promoting these claims constituted not only reckless behavior but an intentional effort to defame for profit and influence.

Lindell’s Defense Stresses Belief in the Narrative

In response, Lindell’s legal team defended his actions by framing them as a genuine pursuit of truth. His attorney argued that Lindell did not act maliciously, but rather expressed his deeply held beliefs regarding election integrity.

“All the evidence shows that Mike Lindell was driven by a sincere desire to expose what he believed to be flaws in the election process,” his lawyer told the jury. “This is about freedom of speech, not defamation.”

Lindell also claimed he has suffered financially from his stance, saying he has lost millions since launching his campaign against voting machines.

Legal Stakes and Broader Implications

The lawsuit has become a pivotal moment in the broader conversation around misinformation, accountability, and the limits of free speech. Coomer is seeking:

$2.7 million in economic damages

$20 million in noneconomic damages

$40 million in punitive damages

If awarded, half the damages would be paid by Lindell personally, while the other half would be split between his companies — MyPillow and his media platform Frank Speech.

Lindell, in turn, has accused Coomer of waging “lawfare,” using legal action to suppress dissenting views and deplete his resources.

Jury Yet to Reach a Verdict

The jury began deliberations on Friday afternoon and had not returned a verdict by evening. It is expected that deliberations will resume on Monday. The outcome of this case could set significant legal precedents in the ongoing debate over false election narratives and the legal consequences of repeating unproven claims.

As the legal system weighs the balance between personal belief, public statements, and reputational harm, the verdict may influence how similar defamation claims are handled in the post-2020 political landscape.