Nick Sandmann's Legal Saga Concludes: Three Media Outlets Settled, Five Lawsuits Dismissed by Supreme Court

In January 2019, a confrontation at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., involving Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann and Native American elder Nathan Phillips, ignited a national media firestorm. The incident, initially portrayed through viral short videos, led to widespread public condemnation of Sandmann and his classmates. Commentator Matt Orfalea recently reflected on the enduring impact of the event, stating:

"Five years ago, one of the most tyrannical smear and censorship campaigns in history was unleashed on a 17-year-old boy."

The encounter occurred following the March for Life rally, where Sandmann, then 16, and other students were awaiting their buses. Initial video clips circulated widely, depicting Sandmann smirking at Phillips while the elder beat a drum. This imagery quickly fueled accusations of racism and disrespect, prompting immediate and severe backlash against Sandmann, including online threats and calls for his expulsion.

Subsequent release of longer video footage provided crucial context, revealing that a group of Black Hebrew Israelites had been verbally taunting the students prior to Phillips's approach. Phillips later stated he intervened to de-escalate a perceived conflict. Sandmann maintained he was attempting to remain calm and avoid further confrontation, a stance supported by the fuller video, which showed him largely motionless.

In the wake of the intense public scrutiny and what his legal team described as a "smear and censorship campaign," Sandmann pursued defamation lawsuits against several major news organizations. He sought significant damages, alleging that these outlets published false and defamatory reports that severely damaged his reputation.

Over the following years, Sandmann reached confidential settlements with CNN (January 2020), The Washington Post (July 2020), and NBCUniversal (December 2021). However, his lawsuits against The New York Times, CBS, ABC, Rolling Stone, and Gannett were ultimately dismissed by a U.S. District Judge in July 2022. This dismissal was upheld by the Sixth Circuit in August 2023, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Sandmann's final appeal in March 2024, effectively concluding these legal battles.

The protracted legal fight and public debate have left a lasting mark. Sandmann, who has since pursued studies in politics and worked on political campaigns, has frequently spoken about his experience as an example of media bias and the challenges individuals face against widespread online narratives. The incident remains a prominent case study in the complexities of viral content, journalistic ethics, and the power of public perception in the digital age.