Anderson Cooper cracked a warranted smile Tuesday when supplied a “lumpy” birthday present from fellow CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan, who had simply offered an interview section with Mike Lindell — the MyPillow CEO presently on trial for defamation.
Lindell, who parroted baseless claims in regards to the 2020 election being stolen from President Donald Trump, appeared in federal court docket Tuesday for calling former Dominion Voting Techniques staffer Dr. Eric Coomer a “traitor to the USA” for his supposed function.
O’Sullivan reported dwell Tuesday from Denver, Colorado, to debate the trial’s opening statements and performed footage for Cooper of the CEO defending his pillows throughout a 2023 deposition after being requested about “lumpy pillow calls” from dissatisfied clients.
“No, they’re not lumpy pillows, that’s not what they name on, OK?” Lindell instructed the legal professional on the time. “Whenever you say ‘lumpy pillows,’ now you’re an asshole! You’re an asshole, you bought that? You’re an asshole is what you might be!”
O’Sullivan spoke with Lindell exterior the courthouse as a part of his report and famous throughout their interview that this could be the primary trial the place jurors, who have been requested throughout jury choice in the event that they owned a MyPillow, have been “chosen based mostly on what pillow they slept on.”
When the prerecorded footage concluded, O’Sullivan cheekily supplied Cooper one for his 58th birthday: “Anderson, I do know at the moment’s your birthday. We’re going to attempt to deliver you again a MyPillow, however some individuals are saying they’re fairly lumpy.”
“Uh, I’m good, I’m good on the pillows,” Cooper replied with a smile. “Thanks, I recognize it. [I’m good on] MyPillows, not my pillows. I’m good with what I acquired, thanks.”
Watch the second under starting at 4:40.
Dominion sued Lindell for defamation in 2021 for $1.3 billion in damages. The corporate accused him within the submitting of inflicting “monumental hurt” with a “viral disinformation marketing campaign” to tarnish the agency with a baseless allegation that they have been concerned in election fraud.
Smartmatic, one other voting gear firm, equally sued Lindell for defamation in 2022. Coomer, who stated he had to enter hiding because of Lindell’s actions, is looking for undisclosed damages.
“It upended my life and my profession to this present day, 4 and a half years later,” Coomer stated through the trial, per the Denver Gazette.