The US Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, challenging the FBI's seizure of his mobile phone in 2022. The decision upholds earlier rulings by lower courts that rejected his claims of constitutional rights violations.
Mr Lindell's phone was confiscated by FBI agents at a Hardee's drive-through in Minnesota as part of an investigation into an alleged scheme to breach voting system technology in Mesa County, Colorado. He argued that the seizure violated his rights against unlawful search and seizure and was an attempt to suppress his free speech.
However, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, stating in a September 2023 ruling that Mr Lindell's legal action was a tactic to interfere with a criminal investigation and hinder potential federal prosecution. The Supreme Court's refusal to reconsider the case marks another legal setback for the entrepreneur.
Mr Lindell has faced multiple consequences from his promotion of unfounded conspiracy theories about the 2020 US presidential election. He is being sued for defamation by voting machine manufacturers Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, and in October lost his defence lawyers when they withdrew over unpaid legal fees.
Several major retailers, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, and QVC, have stopped stocking his products, and his advertising slots on conservative cable news channels have been terminated. Mr Lindell has described his financial situation as dire, stating he has lost everything and has had to auction personal items to make ends meet.
