MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Loses Last Attorney in $5M Election Challenge Lawsuit
By Jake Beardslee ·
June 20, 2024
Mike Lindell, the controversial CEO of MyPillow and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, has lost his final attorney in a civil lawsuit stemming from his failed attempt to prove election interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
In 2021, Lindell launched the "Prove Mike Wrong" challenge during an election fraud symposium in South Dakota. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
He offered a $5 million reward to anyone who could disprove his claims that China had interfered with the 2020 election. Robert Zeidman, an engineer and fellow Trump supporter, took up the challenge and, to his surprise, won. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
Despite Lindell's attempts to contest the outcome, a federal court in Minnesota upheld the arbitration panel's decision in February, awarding Zeidman the $5 million prize plus accrued interest. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
The case has seen multiple setbacks for Lindell. In March, two of his attorneys withdrew from the case. Earlier this month, his last remaining lawyer also quit. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster noted in a June 4 order, "Counsel for Respondent has notified the Court by email that he can no longer serve as lead counsel for Respondent." Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
The court has rescheduled a hearing for late July, warning Lindell's company that it must have legal representation at the hearing, as Foster wrote: "a business entity cannot represent itself pro se." Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
The court has also directed Zeidman's attorney to serve notice directly to Lindell's corporate entity, Lindell Management LLC, which hosted the cyber symposium featuring the ill-fated challenge. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
This latest development adds to Lindell's mounting legal troubles. He is also facing a separate lawsuit from Smartmatic, a voting machine company, which has expressed concerns about collecting legal fees from Lindell, stating he is "millions of dollars in arrears" to his former lawyers. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how Lindell will navigate these legal challenges without legal representation. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia
