cnn breaking news. welcome to the lead. we have some breaking news for you. i m jake tapper. moments ago, we learned there is a settlement a settlement in the high stakes trial between dominion voting systems and fox dominion was suing fox for $1.6 billion, saying that the network showed complete and utter disregard for truth and facts and accuracy. when they allowed guests and hosts to push false conspiracy theories that the 2020 election had been stolen from donald trump. cnn s oliver darcy is outside the courthouse in delaware. oliver. what do we know about the settlement? we know right now. the judge just announced actually moments ago, jake that this case has been settled out of court. we don t know any details about what happened. but there was this unexplained two hour delay in court proceedings. this settlement really comes right before the clock struck struck midnight jake opening statements were set to begin at 1 30. they did not as scheduled, and there was an unexp
Dominion hasn t gone all the way through with this to the point of a jury verdict, they certainly have done a lot to expose the mendacity behind foxes reporting laura. does this settlement set any kind of precedent for defamation cases in the future or not just the settlement, but the entire case , let s let s be clear here. news organizations get sued all the time for defamation. usually the cases are thrown out of court because there is a first amendment in this country. it s very difficult. to prove defamation. this case looked pretty solid from where i said look, everyone who has a cell phone or has texted somebody or has engaged in online written memorialized communication. this sets a standard because now the statements that are made can be contrasted with what you ve said privately vs on air, which makes it a little bit easier, according to the this new statement here about the actual malice doesn t mean that you re going to prove it because somebody has a difference of opinion