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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 in Manhattan reversed Douglass Mackey's 2023 conviction for disseminating false information aimed at reducing support for Democratic voters during the 2016 presidential race.
  • The conviction came after prosecutors asserted that between September and November 2016, Mackey coordinated with others to distribute misleading memes that falsely instructed Democratic voters to support Hillary Clinton via text messages or social media.
  • At sentencing, Judge Ann M. Donnelly called Mackey a leading conspirator in an effort described as an assault on democracy, and Mackey received a seven-month prison sentence.
  • The three-judge 2nd Circuit panel ruled that posting memes, even with intent to harm voter rights, does not prove conspiracy without evidence Mackey knowingly agreed with others, and noted no proof the memes misled anyone into not properly voting.
  • Mackey welcomed the court's order, declaring vindication, and he plans legal action against the Justice Department, while the ruling suggests limits on proving conspiracy from online activity alone.
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A Second Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the criminal conviction against Douglass Mackey, a social media influencer known as "Ricky Vaughn", who had been found guilty in 2023 of conspiring to interfere with the right to vote during the 2016 presidential election.]]>

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Townhall broke the news in Washington, United States on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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