Company behind "2000 Mules" election conspiracy theory film issues apology
The company behind the widely debunked “2,000 Mules,” which spread the conspiracy theory that Democrats stole the 2020 election through mail-in ballots, has issued an official apology and said it would halt distribution of the film and remove both the film and book from its platforms.
Salem Media Group, Inc. apologized specifically to Mark Andrews, a voter from Georgia falsely depicted illegally voting in “2,000 Mules.”
The film’s allegations led to a full investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which eventually cleared Andrews of wrongdoing, and found he was legally dropping off ballots for members of his family. But the damage had already been done.
Andrews filed a defamation suit against the Salem Media Group, Inc., alleging that the film led to violent threats against him and his family.
“They worry that again they will be baselessly accused of election crimes, and that believers in the ‘mules’ theory may recognize and seek reprisal against them, and that they may face physical harm,” the lawsuit alleged.
According to a court filing in a related case, Salem settled the lawsuit brought by Andrews for an undisclosed "significant" amount. In the statement on its website, Salem wrote, “It was never our intent that the publication of the ‘2000 Mules’ film and book would harm Mr. Andrews. We apologize for the hurt the inclusion of Mr. Andrews' image in the movie, book, and promotional materials have caused Mr. Andrews and his family.”
Andrews also filed a defamation suit against the team behind the movie: right wing commentator Dinesh D’Souza, and the group True the Vote.