Governor Gavin Newsom is taking aim at Fox News with a staggering $787 million defamation lawsuit, mirroring the exact amount the network paid in its Dominion settlement – but the entire case seems like nonsense. The legal battle centers around alleged misrepresentations of Newsom’s conversations with President Trump during the recent Los Angeles riots.
At a glance:
• California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News
• The lawsuit claims Fox News host Jesse Watters edited a video to falsely support Trump’s claim about National Guard deployment discussions
• Newsom denies having conversations with Trump about deploying the National Guard during LA riots – but Trump already proved he did
• Fox News has dismissed the lawsuit as a “transparent publicity stunt” designed to chill free speech
• The amount Newsom is seeking matches exactly what Fox News paid to Dominion Voting Systems in its 2023 settlement
Lawsuit Details and Fox’s Response
Newsom’s unhinged lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court where Fox News is incorporated, specifically targets Fox host Jesse Watters for allegedly editing video content to misrepresent facts about a call between Newsom and Trump. Newsom claims the editing affected national discussion and demands an on-air apology from Watters – but ignored key evidence provided by President Trump.
Fox News has vowed to fight back against what they view as politically motivated legal action with no merit. “Gov. Newsom’s transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him,” Fox News stated in their response to the allegations.
The dispute centers on a June 6 phone call between Newsom and Trump, which both Newsom and the White House confirm occurred. However, Newsom vehemently denies Trump’s subsequent claim that they discussed deploying the National Guard during the call. Newsom also u-turned, after initially claiming the call didn’t take place.
New: Gavin Newsom’s attorneys send letter to Fox News, demanding an on air retraction on reporting about his phone call with President Trump during LA immigration protests.
If not, they’ll proceed with the lawsuit.
“We realize you are becoming quite familiar with defamation.” pic.twitter.com/36owZERrcR
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) June 27, 2025
Political Implications and Timing
The lawsuit’s timing has raised eyebrows among political observers who question whether this legal move aligns with potential presidential ambitions for Newsom. The California governor has been increasingly visible on the national stage, frequently criticizing Republican policies.
“If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump’s behalf, it should face consequences — just like it did in the Dominion case,” Newsom declared in a statement that connects this case to Fox’s previous legal troubles. The identical settlement amount cannot be coincidental.
Critics point out that Newsom previously sued the Trump administration to prevent deployment of U.S. Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles during the protests. This history complicates the narrative around who wanted what regarding law enforcement response to the riots.
Embarrassing errors in this letter… “discrete” not discreet for one… https://t.co/RI6h15B8d7
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) June 28, 2025
Legal Challenges and Public Response
Defamation cases are notoriously difficult to win, especially for public figures who must prove actual malice. Legal experts note that Newsom will face significant hurdles in demonstrating that Fox News knowingly broadcast false information with intent to harm.
The dispute has highlighted ongoing tensions between Newsom and Trump, including previous conflicts over federalization of the California National Guard and threats to withhold federal funding from California. Fox News has promised to “defend this case vigorously and look forward to it being dismissed.”
It’s obvious what Newsom is doing, isn’t it?
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Author: Editorial Team
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