Pro-Trump lawyer Sidney Powell rose to national infamy as one of the most visible purveyors of former President Donald Trump's lies regarding the validity of the 2020 election.
Powell circulated deranged conspiracy theories that prominent election software companies coordinated with Democrats to engage in widespread election fraud that "stole" the election from Trump.
Though not based in reality, Powell's claims led to heightened threats and demonization of election companies like Smartmatic and Dominion, both of which have now sued her for defamation.
In a motion to dismiss the Dominion suit, Powell argued that no serious person would take her claims as statements of fact, but as statements of opinion that can't be proven true or false.
But comments made by Powell last month at a panel for the Dallas Patriot Roundup may throw a wrench in that defense, according to the Daily Beast.
Powell said:
"[N]umber one, [Dominion doesn't] have jurisdiction over us and number two, we meant what we said and we have the evidence to back it up."
That claim contradicts the argument made in her dismissal motion that Powell's disinformation is protected since, she argued, the claims could not be proven as fact.
Attorney Ted Boutrous Jr. told the Daily Beast:
"That seems like an extremely damaging admission from Ms. Powell that eviscerates her main defense, which is based on a distortion of the opinion doctrine to begin with. Dominion will have a field day with this statement in opposing her efforts to dismiss the case before trial, and before the jury if and when the case goes to trial."
People weren't surprised that Powell's hubris may have jeopardized her argument.
Keep talking, lady.https://www.thedailybeast.com/sidney-powell-just-eviscerated-her-own-legal-defense-experts-say\u00a0\u2026— Honest Abe - Biden/Kamala (@Honest Abe - Biden/Kamala) 1623176581
Is there any surprise when you live in an altermate reality? Just look at her dear leader. ..lost the house, senate, and presidency by his own...BIG MOUTH...as Ralph Kramden would say.https://www.thedailybeast.com/sidney-powell-just-eviscerated-her-own-legal-defense-experts-say\u00a0\u2026— The Fault Lies Not in Our Stars (@The Fault Lies Not in Our Stars) 1623170065
Increasingly difficult to dismiss the hypothesis that these people are just desperately stupid.https://www.thedailybeast.com/sidney-powell-just-eviscerated-her-own-legal-defense-experts-say\u00a0\u2026— blue meme (@blue meme) 1623173776
Would you believe me if I told you there are people who wouldn't shut up even if the cost of shooting your mouth off were set at $4.3 billion.https://www.thedailybeast.com/sidney-powell-just-eviscerated-her-own-legal-defense-experts-say\u00a0\u2026— L. Rhodes (@L. Rhodes) 1623172265
Kind of Trumpish to publicly refute what your lawyer is using for your defense.— Christine F Chumley (@Christine F Chumley) 1623178061
She is despicable, and typical of these people, carries zero truth. The case should go forward, and she should lose completely. Unrelated specifically to the case, she should be disbarredhttps://twitter.com/robertmaguire_/status/1402326572183474181\u00a0\u2026— Hari Seldon (@Hari Seldon) 1623175970
Powell continues to face backlash for her repeated lies about the 2020 election.
The University of North Carolina should take back Sidney Powell\u2019s Law Degree.\n\nShe is an embarrassment to the legal profession and her license should be revoked.— Chris Hahn (@Chris Hahn) 1622490870
Sidney is totally bonkers and should be disbarred and institutionalized along with Rudy and 45.https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1402301914486824960\u00a0\u2026— Shelley Kreidel (@Shelley Kreidel) 1623177002
I really hope she spends the rest of her life in jail.https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1402301914486824960\u00a0\u2026— Brian Castellani (@Brian Castellani) 1623173947
A joint hearing for the Dominion suit is scheduled for June 24.