The controversial right-wing website, Gateway Pundit, has made headlines again, but this time for a significant admission. Over the weekend, the site’s co-founder, Jim Hoft, publicly acknowledged the innocence of two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, who were previously accused—in sensational and widely circulated reports—of manipulating ballots during the highly contested 2020 presidential election.
This confession arrives shortly after Gateway Pundit reached a legal settlement in relation to the defamation lawsuit filed by Freeman and Moss. The financial specifics of this settlement remain undisclosed, but the legal battle has drawn significant public attention, particularly among those following the ramifications of misinformation spread during the election.
Hoft’s statement, now published on the Gateway Pundit site, read, “Georgia officials concluded there was no widespread voter fraud by election workers who counted ballots at the State Farm Arena in November 2020. The results of this investigation indicate Ruby Freeman and Wandrea 'Shaye' Moss did not engage in ballot fraud or criminal misconduct.” This marks the first time the website has openly accepted the nonexistence of fraudulent activities during the ballot counting process.
Freeman and Moss, who faced intense harassment and threats following the false allegations against them, both testified last year about the toll these accusations took on their lives. They reported receiving numerous death threats and were subjected to public intimidation, forcing them to change their phone numbers and deactivate their social media accounts. The distress reached such levels as Freeman feared physical violence against her.
The origins of the allegations trace back to Rudy Giuliani, who served as Donald Trump's personal attorney during the time. Giuliani falsely claimed the pair were involved in illicit activities, alleging they had pulled hidden ballots out from under the table during the voting process. Despite these baseless claims being swiftly debunked, they were amplified by Gateway Pundit and other pro-Trump platforms, contributing to the widespread misinformation about the 2020 election.
Prior to this weekend’s admission, Gateway Pundit had consistently denied any wrongdoing, even filing for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. These legal maneuvers were seen by some as attempts to evade financial obligations related to multiple defamation lawsuits stemming from their reporting on the 2020 election. A federal judge dismissed this bankruptcy petition, indicating it was filed “in bad faith” to avoid paying damages.
Freeman and Moss had earlier settled with One America News Network (OANN), another right-wing outlet, over similar accusations. Following their financial agreement, OANN aired corrections stating the two women had not engaged in fraudulent conduct during the election.
The situation continues to evolve, especially for Giuliani, who was ordered to pay Freeman and Moss nearly $150 million last year after a jury found him guilty of defamation. Giuliani has appealed the verdict and attempted various legal tactics to avoid compliance with the court’s ruling, including declaring bankruptcy. Reports suggest his efforts have not succeeded, as plaintiffs have sought to seize his assets, which reportedly include valuable items such as real estate and New York Yankees memorabilia.
This isn't the end of the road for Gateway Pundit. The site still faces other serious legal challenges, including allegations from Eric Coomer, formerly of Dominion Voting Systems. Coomer filed his own defamation lawsuit against the site for similarly unfounded claims about his involvement with election interference.
The attention garnered from these events highlights the challenges of addressing misinformation within politics and its severe consequences on individuals' lives.
While some may view the settlements as steps toward accountability, the broader issue of election-related misinformation remains at the forefront of public discourse. The future of platforms like Gateway Pundit—and the accountability of those who perpetuate falsehoods—will undoubtedly continue to be pivotal as the nation approaches future elections.
For Freeman and Moss, the legal battles signify not just the fight against defamatory statements but also the hope of reclaiming their personal and professional identities after enduring the fallout from false accusations. Their experience is both cautionary and empowering, as it shines light on the pivotal role of truth and justice within our democratic processes.
