Current:Home > reviewsHe 'Proved Mike Wrong.' Now he's claiming his $5 million -RiskWatch
He 'Proved Mike Wrong.' Now he's claiming his $5 million
View
Date:2025-04-17 18:22:37
Software engineer Robert Zeidman, who used his data analytics skills to debunk a false 2020 election conspiracy theory promoted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, says he has received many congratulatory messages, including from supporters of former President Donald Trump.
"I've made the argument that Lindell is hurting Trump much more than he's helping him because everything Lindell is presenting is so obviously bogus that it just makes any talk about voter fraud or voter integrity look silly. So even big Trump supporters thanked me," Zeidman said in an interview with Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep.
It started in August 2021, when the Las Vegas-based computer expert entered the "Prove Mike Wrong Challenge," in which Lindell offered $5 million to anyone who could prove that data he claimed shows China interfered in the 2020 presidential election were inaccurate.
After Zeidman determined that the data provided during a three-day "Cyber Symposium" in Sioux Falls, S.D., had nothing to do with the 2020 election results, Lindell refused to pay the promised amount. Last week, an arbitration panel ruled in Zeidman's favor and ordered Lindell to pay up.
"[Mr. Zeidman] proved the data Lindell LLC provided [...] unequivocally did not reflect November 2020 election data," the arbitrators wrote. "Failure to pay Mr. Zeidman the $5 million prize was a breach of the contract, entitling him to recover."
Despite the ruling, Zeidman, who describes himself as a conservative Republican, does not expect to see any money.
"Lindell will delay it as long as he can. But I also think he's going to lose in the cases that are brought against him by Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, the voting machine companies," he says. "I think that'll put him out of business for good."
Both companies have filed defamation lawsuits against Lindell, claiming he falsely accused them of rigging the 2020 presidential election.
Lindell did not respond to a request for comment, but he told The Associated Press last week that he has no intention of paying the $5 million to Zeidman and that he expects the dispute will end up in court.
Zeidman, who voted for Trump twice, says the data provided at the symposium not only failed to prove any Chinese election interference that could have tipped the outcome in favor of Joe Biden, the data included no discernible information whatsoever.
"It was pages and pages of numbers. And in other cases, a table full of gibberish, as if someone had sat there for hours and just typed random stuff into a word processor," he says.
It took Zeidman just hours to disprove Lindell's election fraud claims based on the data provided. After submitting a 15-page report that laid out the specifics of his findings, Zeidman called his wife confidently telling her: "Think about what you want to do with $5 million."
That call came a little premature as it turns out, but Zeidman tells NPR that he's just thrilled that people appreciate what he did.
And whether he would vote for Trump for a third time, he hasn't made a decision: "I hope I have another choice in the upcoming election."
Ben Abrams produced the audio version.
veryGood! (93)
Related
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Bachelor Nation's Kendall Long Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Mitchell Sagely
- Asheville, North Carolina, officials warn water system could take weeks to repair
- Watchdog blasts DEA for not reporting waterboarding, torture by Latin American partners
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 5
- Fran Drescher Reveals How Self-Care—and Elephants!—Are Helping Her Grieve Her Late Father
- Will Levis injury update: Titans QB hurts shoulder vs. Dolphins
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- The real women of 'Real Housewives of New York City': Sai, Jessel and Ubah tell all
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Proof Gabourey Sidibe’s 5-Month-Old Twin Babies Are Growing “So Big So Fast”
- Pete Rose, MLB's all-time hits leader who earned lifetime ban, dead at 83
- What should I do when an employee's performance and attitude decline? Ask HR
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Adrien Brody Has Iconic Reaction to Kim Kardashian Mistaking Him for Adam Brody
- LeBron James Reacts to Making Debut With Son Bronny James as Lakers Teammates
- Are oats healthy? Here's how to make them an even better breakfast.
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Kristin Cavallari Shares Glimpse Inside New Home After Mark Estes Breakup
Pac-12 building college basketball profile with addition of Gonzaga
Asheville, North Carolina, officials warn water system could take weeks to repair
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
Haunted by migrant deaths, Border Patrol agents face mental health toll
Brittany Cartwright Shares Update on Navigating Divorce With Jax Taylor
Honda's history through the decades: Here's the 13 coolest models of all time