Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO, was the defendant in a defamation lawsuit filed by Eric Coomer, a former executive at Dominion Voting Systems, in Colorado. This case, Coomer v. Lindell, concluded on June 16, 2025.
The Case (Coomer v. Lindell)
The lawsuit stemmed from Lindell's public statements following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in which he falsely claimed that Eric Coomer was involved in rigging the election in favor of Joe Biden. Lindell's accusations included calling Coomer a "traitor" and accusing him of treason, which were disseminated through his online media platform, Lindell TV (formerly Frankspeech). Coomer argued that these statements were false and defamatory, leading to severe personal and professional harm, including death threats, harassment, and job loss, forcing him into hiding.
The trial began on June 5, 2025, in the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado, with Judge Nina Wang presiding. A jury found Lindell personally liable for defamation, but his company, Lindell TV, was not held liable. The jury awarded Coomer $2.3 million in damages, which was significantly less than the $62.7 million Coomer had initially sought. The verdict breakdown showed Lindell was found guilty on 2 out of 10 statements, while FrankSpeech LLC was found guilty on 3 or 4 out of 10 statements.
How the Case Will "Help" Mike Lindell (Lindell's Perspective)
Despite the legal defeat, Lindell has publicly framed the outcome as having positive aspects for his broader goals and advocacy. He views the verdict as beneficial for several reasons:
* Free Speech Victory Lindell emphasized that the jury's decision not to find all his statements defamatory is a significant win for free speech and his First Amendment rights.
* Company Not Liable The fact that Lindell TV was not held liable is crucial for Lindell, as it protects his media platform and brand from financial and legal consequences, which he called a "huge victory for our country".
* Publicity and Platform The trial kept Lindell in the public eye, providing a platform to promote his views on election security and his mission to eliminate electronic voting machines. This publicity aligns with his goal of raising awareness among his supporters and potentially increasing engagement and support for his cause.
* Financial and Public Support Although Lindell claims to be "millions in the hole" due to his legal battles, he has leveraged the trial to raise funds for his legal defense, with his website offering discounts on products and a link to donate to his defense fund. This financial support helps mitigate the impact of damages and keeps his base engaged.
* Appeal as a Continuation Lindell has vowed to appeal the verdict, viewing the lawsuit as "lawfare" – a term he uses to describe legal actions he believes are politically motivated against him. Appealing the verdict keeps the case alive, allowing him to continue fighting for his cause and maintaining public discourse on election integrity.
* Moral Victory Among his supporters, Lindell may be seen as vindicated because the trial allowed him to continue promoting his narrative about election fraud. His supporters view the verdict as a minor setback in a larger fight, praising him for standing firm. He believes the findings of "no malice, no punitive damages, and zero conspiracy" represent a win for free speech and set a precedent for future cases.
Controversies and Other Legal Issues
The lawsuit itself is part of a broader "lawfare" narrative, with Lindell and his supporters arguing it's a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent. However, critics argue these lawsuits are necessary to hold individuals accountable for spreading harmful and baseless conspiracy theories.
Lindell faces significant financial and legal pressures. He has claimed to be "millions in the hole" or "in ruins" due to his legal battles and has struggled to pay legal fees, owing millions to law firms. Two firms have sought to withdraw from his Smartmatic and Dominion cases due to unpaid fees. He has been found in contempt of court for failing to provide discovery documents in the Smartmatic case and claims he cannot afford the sanctions.
Beyond the Coomer case, Lindell is embroiled in other defamation lawsuits from Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems, seeking billions in damages. He also lost a $5 million arbitration award in his "Prove Mike Wrong" challenge for failing to prove election fraud, which has been upheld, and he has been unable to pay it. These ongoing legal and financial challenges reinforce his refusal to settle, which he frames as a combination of principle and necessity.
