Far-Right Provocateur Dinesh D’Souza Issues Apology for False Claims in Election Conspiracy Film
Dinesh D’Souza, a controversial figure in the realm of American conservative politics, has formally apologized for misleading accusations made in his 2022 documentary, "2000 Mules." The film claimed that illegal "ballot trafficking" occurred in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, suggesting that certain individuals—whom D’Souza referred to as "mules"—were paid to illegally deposit harvested ballots in key swing states. In a lengthy statement posted on his website, D’Souza admitted that the assertions made in his film regarding cell phone geolocation data from the conservative group True the Vote were false, resulting in wrongful accusations against uninvolved individuals.
D’Souza explained that his film relied heavily on geolocation data purportedly provided by True the Vote, which has since been discredited. He specifically noted that surveillance videos presented in the film were initially believed to be corroborated by accurate geolocation information, leading to the erroneous portrayal of some individuals as suspected ballot traffickers. Mark Andrews, one of the individuals whose image was used in the film, has publicly claimed that he was wrongfully implicated—after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation cleared him of any illegal activities, reaffirming that he was legally dropping off ballots for family members.
Andrews has since filed a defamation lawsuit against D’Souza, True the Vote, and Salem Media, the publisher of "2000 Mules". He alleges that the unfounded claims in the film led to violent threats directed at him and his family. In response to the mounting legal pressures, Salem Media has apologized to Andrews and halted distribution of the film and book across all its platforms, acknowledging their reliance on false representations made by D’Souza and True the Vote.
Despite the fallout from the film, which has been widely criticized and debunked for its "categorically false" assertions, D’Souza held onto the belief that the foundational premise of "2000 Mules" remains valid. He maintained that he still trusts True the Vote’s analysis of suspicious voting activities, despite conceding that the specific data utilized was incorrect. D’Souza asserted his commitment to acknowledging the truth, making clear in his statement that his apology to Andrews was genuine and not part of a legal settlement.
True the Vote’s claims, which included their insistence that their geolocation data was instrumental in solving a murder, have also come under scrutiny. A recent judgment found their assertions lacking in evidence, and the organization admitted before a Georgia judge that they could not substantiate their claims regarding illegal ballot activity. The controversy surrounding "2000 Mules" escalated to the point where the companion book had to be withdrawn shortly before its release to correct various legal inaccuracies, further tarnishing the credibility of D’Souza and his associates.
In concluding his apology, D’Souza expressed regret for any harm caused to Andrews and acknowledged that while he does not believe Andrews was directly identified in the film, he nonetheless recognizes the potential impact of the allegations. This acknowledgment marks a significant moment for a public figure known for his history of contentious claims and conspiracy theories. As the legal ramifications of the film continue to unfold, it remains unclear whether D’Souza will reach a settlement with Andrews or face further consequences stemming from this episode.