Newsmax wants longtime Trump ally to take a hit in its $1.6 billion election lies suit: report

Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation suit against the right-wing network, Newsmax, in 2021, seeking $1.6 billion in damages for pushing 2020 election lies.

Three years later, ahead of trial, The Daily Beast exclusively reported Monday that the MAGA network petitioned the court in efforts to get longtime Donald Trump ally John Catsimatidis to testify, "alleging the right-wing channel knowingly peddled election lies."

The Beast notes the trial for Dominion's defamation case against Fox News was originally scheduled for September, but has been delayed. Trial for Smartmatic's defamation suit against Newsman will begin in September instead.

READ MORE: An ominous sign for Fox News: Media critic breaks down pre-trial hearings in Dominion defamation suit

In addition to requesting Catsimatidis' testimony, Newsmax is also highlights the billionaire's "media companies, Red Apple Media and WABC Radio, in its petition to enforce a subpoena."

The conservative cable network also points to the fact "that Dominion has sued former Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell for baselessly accusing the voting software firm of flipping millions of votes from Donald Trump to President Joe Biden." The voting company "cites statements Powell made on Catismatidis’ syndicated radio show, The CATS Roundtable, in its lawsuit against Powell," according to the petition.

Furthermore, the news outlet reports:

Additionally, Newsmax appears to suggest that Dominion’s chief executive John Poulos may have taken mercy on Catsimatidis because of his close relationship with famed Greek Orthodox priest Father Alexander Karloutsos. “'fter Dominion settled its defamation lawsuit against Fox News, a National Herald article... reported that Dominion CEO John Poulos had stated that, in late 2020, he had conferred with Mr. Catsimatidis’ mentor, Father Alexander Karloutsos, concerning allegations of voter fraud and Dominion.'

"Dominion has sued neither Mr. Catsimatidis nor any of his media companies notwithstanding that they broadcast essentially the same news stories, statements and content at issue in Dominion’s lawsuits against Newsmax, One America News Network, and Fox News," the network's petition says.

READ MORE: 'Hot mess': Report reveals Rupert Murdoch’s state of 'denial' about Dominion voting settlement

The petition continues, "Notably, Mr. Catsimatidis and his media company, WABC radio, broadcast essentially the same news stories at issue in the Newsmax and Fox News litigations. For example, WABC broadcast numerous statements by Rudy Giuliani concerning Dominion and allegations of voter fraud."

The Daily Beast's full report is available here (subscription required).