Trial Begins for Mike Lindell in Defamation Case by Former Dominion Employee

DENVER, Colorado — The defamation trial for MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell started on Monday in a federal courtroom. Lindell is accused of falsely claiming that Eric Coomer, a former employee at Dominion Voting Systems, manipulated the 2020 presidential election.

Coomer filed the lawsuit against Lindell in April 2022 following defamatory statements that claimed he participated in an election scheme. Coomer, who previously served as the director of security and technology for Dominion, contends that Lindell’s statements have resulted in severe repercussions for his life, including death threats and significant distress.

“After more than fifteen years as a respected professional, my reputation has been irreparably tarnished,” Coomer stated during his testimony on Tuesday. He described how he has faced credible threats and feels like he has lost his life due to Lindell’s claims.

Opening statements revealed the nature of Lindell’s defense. His attorney, Chris Kachouroff, claimed that Lindell believed he was conveying the truth when he made his statements about Coomer.

On the first day of the trial, Lindell held a press conference outside the courthouse where he asserted, “I have nothing to hide. I’m going to testify at my own trial!” He emphasized his transparency and expressed his willingness to present his case in court.

Coomer’s lawsuit stems from comments made by Colorado podcaster Joe Oltmann, who claimed that he overheard someone identified as “Eric, the Dominion guy” on an Antifa call. These baseless allegations have been amplified by Lindell, who has a history of spreading conspiracy theories about the election.

Coomer’s attorneys also pointed out that Lindell is facing other lawsuits from Dominion and Smartmatic for similar reasons, which complicates his financial situation. Lindell has struggled with legal fees and payment issues, with reports indicating that his legal team withdrew due to unpaid bills.

During the proceedings, Lindell reiterated his defense, claiming that he only engaged in speech, saying, “It’s just words. All I did was talk.” The trial is expected to continue over the next few weeks with several witnesses, including Coomer.

This case is viewed as a significant test of defamation law in the context of election-related falsehoods, echoing other lawsuits against prominent figures and media organizations that have propagated unfounded claims about the 2020 election.