MyPillow’s chief executive Mike Lindell has been one of the most vocal supporters of former President Donald Trump. Today, he finds himself at the center of a momentous federal trial taking place in Denver, Colorado. The trial began on Monday with jury selection. It mostly centers on claims made by Eric Coomer, a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems. Coomer claims that Lindell falsely accused him of being involved in efforts to steal the 2020 election, which was won by Joe Biden.
The court fight started in 2022. In response, Coomer filed lawsuits against My Pillow, Inc. and Lindell individually, as well as against Lindell’s media company, Lindell TV. Coomer maintains that based on Lindell’s public accusations alone, Lindell has caused Coomer irreparable harm to his reputation. According to a court filing, “After more than fifteen years as a respected professional at the top of his field, Dr Coomer’s reputation has been irreparably tarnished.”
Coomer previously oversaw security for Dominion Voting Systems. His work was pivotal, especially through a challenging electoral period, as the company defended against a barrage of baseless fraud allegations. Lindell’s deep state allegations led to widespread consequences. As a result, many of America’s largest retailers like Target and Kohl’s ceased selling MyPillow products in 2021 after Lindell’s support of election conspiracies. As the trial continues, it is a poignant reminder of the controversy over the integrity of the 2020 election and its subsequent fallout.
The trial is being overseen by President Biden’s appointee to the federal bench, Judge Nina Wang. Lindell has maintained his position on the alleged election fraud, stating outside the court: “We’re in a battle of biblical proportions, of evil and good.” His comments are a bad repeat of a big narrative pushed by Trump and his allies. They’ve accused, with no proof, that widespread voter fraud “rigged” the election.
Coomer’s filing includes claims that he “now endures frequent credible death threats and the burden of being made the face of an imagined criminal conspiracy of unprecedented scope in American history.” This claim highlights the deeply troubling personal effect that Lindell’s defamatory claims have had on Coomer’s life.
The result in this trial may have significant implications for the future of both Lindell and Coomer. It will have a larger effect on the continuing national discussion about election integrity and accountability in our public discourse. This major case is changing quickly. Americans from all walks of life have taken a direct and personal interest in it due to its chilling effect on free speech and political defamation laws altogether in the United States.