California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News—specifically targeting host Jesse Watters—for what he claims was a deliberate misrepresentation of a phone call between him and President Trump amid the Los Angeles riots.
The complaint, lodged in Delaware Superior Court, centers on a segment aired by Watters alleging Newsom lied about receiving a call from Trump. The governor argues that Fox broadcast a deceptively edited clip to support the false narrative that he refused to acknowledge or respond to the president’s outreach.
Newsom is demanding:
- A formal on-air apology and retraction from Jesse Watters
- A settlement totaling $787 million, mirroring prior defamation outcomes
- Newsom has pledged to drop the lawsuit if Fox complies with these terms
The lawsuit asserts that Fox’s broadcast defamed Newsom by presenting misleading content that could dissuade voters ahead of future elections and violated California’s Unfair Competition Law.
According to court filings, the alleged call occurred on June 7, before Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Newsom maintains the call lasted roughly 16 minutes, though Watters’ edited segment omitted this crucial detail and labeled Newsom a liar.
Newsom’s attorneys compare this case to the high-profile Dominion Voting Systems suit, in which Fox paid nearly $787.5 million in a defamation settlement in 2023. Settlement funds in Newsom’s case are intended to be donated to anti-Trump causes.
Broader Implications
The lawsuit signals an escalation in Newsom’s public battle with Fox and President Trump, underscoring his intention to challenge what he perceives as media misinformation. It also highlights mounting tensions between conservative media outlets and high-ranking Democratic politicians.
