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Appeals court throws out right-wing influencer’s conviction for 2016 election interference

EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, JUL 9 – The Second Circuit ruled there was insufficient evidence that Douglass Mackey knowingly conspired to suppress votes despite 5,000 people following his meme’s false instructions, court records show.

  • A federal appeals court overturned Douglass Mackey's March 2023 conviction for conspiracy against rights related to spreading false memes during the 2016 election in Brooklyn.
  • Mackey was convicted for sharing misleading memes that persuaded around 5,000 individuals to attempt voting for Clinton via text messaging or social media platforms between September and November 2016, but the appeals court ruled the evidence for conspiracy was insufficient.
  • Prosecutors relied on private Twitter group messages alleging intent to interfere with voting rights, while the trial judge called the conspiracy an assault on democracy.
  • The 2nd Circuit judges wrote that posting memes alone does not prove a conspiracy without evidence of knowing agreement, and ordered a judgment of acquittal for Mackey.
  • Mackey, who had 58,000 followers, welcomed the ruling as vindication, thanked supporters, and threatened legal action against the Justice Department over his conviction.
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Townhall broke the news in Washington, United States on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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