The Gateway Pundit — a far-right media outlet that’s avowedly behind former President Donald Trump — has declared bankruptcy amid multiple lawsuits related to its promotion of deception about the 2020 presidential election, which some Trump circles still allege was marred by systematic fraud.
The outlet remains a target of litigation from former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, who are a mother and daughter, in addition to further litigation from Eric Coomer, a former executive at Dominion Voting Systems. That company, which produces technology for elections, was infamously named in debunked conspiracy theories alleging widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential race behind Joe Biden’s election win. Individuals connected to the company faced threats to their safety in connection with the lies, as did Freeman and Moss, who also challenged Trump ally Rudy Giuliani in court, securing a large financial penalty just recently upheld by a judge.
Jim Hoft, who’s among those responsible for the Pundit, claimed the bankruptcy proceedings would let them “consolidate this lawfare in one court for ultimate resolution” — referring, it seems, to an expectation these proceedings — involving potential debts — moving into bankruptcy court.
Giuliani actually himself entered bankruptcy proceedings, as did far-right media figure Alex Jones, though he was challenged for other reasons (deranged conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting).
CNN reported that the Pundit’s parent company said in court filings that “it currently has between $500,000 and $1 million in assets,” which is far below where financial penalties in defamation proceedings can reach. Giuliani’s recently upheld penalties were a whopping $148 million.
