Judge Warns Mike Lindell to Stop Posting About and Discussing Defamation Trial on Social Media

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell was warned by the judge presiding over his defamation trial to stop discussing the proceedings on social media.

“I am concerned not only about the tainting of potential witnesses, but I’m concerned about preserving a fair and unbiased jury,” U.S. District Court Judge Nina Wang told Lindell on Wednesday morning, according to Denver’s NBC affiliate 9News.

Eric Coomer, a former director with Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems, is suing Lindell for defamation based on the MAGA star’s repeated false claims that Dominion Voting Systems were used to rig the 2020 presidential election in former President Joe Biden’s favor. Lindell even released a movie about his conspiracy theories in 2021 called Absolute Proof. He was sued for defamation in 2022.

A court order issued on May 20 prohibits real-time reporting from the trial, something Lindell has been doing through his Lindell TV outlet.

Lawyers for the plaintiff informed the court that on June 3, Lindell posted to his X account during the trial multiple times. Lindell has also been talking to media outside the courthouse.

“I will have my phone off in court,” Lindell told the judge on Wednesday.

“That would be a great idea,” she said.

Lindell only faced a verbal warning over his conduct, but he could face sanctions if he continues to post about his ongoing trial.

Lindell’s claims about the 2020 election also led to a lawsuit by Smartmatic, a voting technology company that sued him in 2022 over his claim that they helped rig the election. Lindell was ordered to pay $56,369 in sanctions, but he told a judge in April that he is in “ruins” financially.

“I’m in ruins,” he said. “I borrowed everything I can. Nobody will lend me any money anymore.”