“IT IS ORDERED that the action is DISMISSED” Mike Lindell Drops Lawsuit Against Justice Department Over Phone Seizure
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Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, has withdrawn his lawsuit against the Justice Department over the seizure of his mobile phone, according to court documents. In a recent court order, Minnesota-based U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud approved Lindell’s request to dismiss the lawsuit.
This development was reported by Kyle Cheney of Politico on Tuesday. The lawsuit had originally been filed by Lindell after FBI agents seized his phone at a Hardee’s restaurant as part of a search warrant. Lindell, who has persistently promoted baseless conspiracy theories that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump, claimed in the lawsuit that the phone contained “everything” he was working on.
“Based on the Stipulation for Dismissal without Prejudice filed by Plaintiffs Michael J. Lindell and MyPillow, Inc., and Defendants United States of America, Attorney General Merrick Garland, the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, and FBI Directory Christopher Wray, ECF No. 93, IT IS ORDERED that the action is DISMISSED without prejudice, and without costs, disbursements, or attorneys’ fees to any party,” said the order.
The reason for Lindell’s sudden decision to drop the lawsuit remains unclear. However, speculation on social media suggests that he might have done so due to financial pressures. Lindell is facing a mounting number of legal and financial challenges as a result of his persistent and unfounded claims of election fraud. Some of his allies have publicly stated that Lindell is “losing everything” due to these legal battles and dwindling business prospects, told Raw Story.
In particular, Lindell is embroiled in several defamation lawsuits filed by companies he accused of election rigging, including Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic. These companies have accused Lindell of spreading false information that has severely harmed their businesses. Moreover, major retailers have increasingly distanced themselves from MyPillow, removing its products from their shelves in the aftermath of Lindell’s controversial and persistent claims.
This loss of retail partnerships has further compounded the company’s financial difficulties. Adding to his woes, a court recently ordered Lindell to pay $5 million to a software developer who successfully disproved Lindell’s claims regarding election fraud. This decision was tied to a public challenge that Lindell had issued, offering a reward to anyone who could refute his election fraud evidence.
The software developer accepted the challenge and provided evidence that contradicted Lindell’s assertions, resulting in a substantial payout order. Lindell has continued to maintain his stance, even as he faces significant backlash. He remains one of the most vocal proponents of the debunked theory that widespread fraud marred the 2020 election, frequently appearing on conservative media to espouse his views.
Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding him, Lindell has vowed to continue his fight, suggesting that the lawsuits and financial strains have not deterred him from his mission. His decision to withdraw the lawsuit against the Justice Department, however, represents a significant shift in strategy. Previously, he had been adamant about challenging the seizure of his phone, arguing that it violated his constitutional rights.
“He must be broke,” wrote the account @kschraeder123. “The poor guy has run out of money & his Republican friends, who he made an ass out of himself for, aren’t bailing him out. We acknowledge that Rs throw anyone out when you are no longer useful. A Trump trait” wrote the account @Daffodil_Dame.
By dropping the lawsuit, Lindell might be signaling a willingness to prioritize his resources for the ongoing defamation battles and business challenges ahead. Ultimately, this recent move adds another layer to Lindell’s complex legal saga, which continues to unfold amid a landscape marked by political polarization and contentious debates over election integrity.
While his company MyPillow has been deeply impacted by the fallout from his actions, Lindell remains undeterred in his pursuit of what he perceives as justice, albeit at a mounting personal and professional cost.
