California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a bombshell $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The high-stakes legal battle centers on allegations that the network deliberately misrepresented a phone call between Newsom and former President Donald Trump during the recent Los Angeles riots.
This lawsuit mirrors the exact settlement amount Fox paid to Dominion Voting Systems last year, with Newsom demanding accountability for what he calls deliberate deception. Fox News has dismissed the case as a “transparent publicity stunt” while conservative critics question Newsom’s motives and timing amid speculation about his political ambitions. The lawsuit focuses specifically on Fox host Jesse Watters allegedly editing video content to falsely suggest Newsom lied about his communications with Trump regarding National Guard deployment. As this case unfolds, it reopens debates about media accountability, defamation standards for public figures, and the increasingly contentious relationship between prominent Democrats and conservative media outlets.
Newsom Takes Legal Action Against Fox News
California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a massive $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News in Delaware Superior Court. The lawsuit centers on Fox News host Jesse Watters’ reporting about a phone call between Newsom and former President Donald Trump during the recent Los Angeles riots, which Newsom claims was deliberately edited to misrepresent facts.
The governor’s legal team argues that Fox News falsely portrayed Newsom as lying about the content of his conversation with Trump regarding National Guard deployment. Newsom contends that while he did speak with Trump on June 6, they never discussed deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles, contrary to what Fox News allegedly reported.
The $787 million figure Newsom is seeking matches exactly what Fox News paid to settle a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023. This strategic move appears designed to draw parallels between the two cases and establish a precedent for damages in high-profile defamation suits against the network.
In a brief statement posted to social media, Newsom declared “No more lies. I’m suing Fox News for $787 million.” The governor’s direct approach signals his determination to fight what he characterizes as deliberate misinformation about his leadership during a crisis situation.
Disputed Claims and Conflicting Narratives
At the heart of the lawsuit is a dispute over what exactly was said during the June 6 phone call between Newsom and Trump. According to court documents, Trump later claimed he spoke with Newsom about deploying the National Guard to quell riots in Los Angeles, a claim Newsom immediately denied on social media.
The lawsuit specifically targets Fox News host Jesse Watters for allegedly editing a video clip of Trump discussing the call to support the former president’s version of events. Newsom’s legal team argues this editing was deliberate and malicious, aimed at damaging the governor’s reputation by portraying him as dishonest.
Gavin Newsom Sues Fox News for $800M Over Trump Call Claim, Demands On-Air Apology from Jesse Watters
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed an $800 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, accusing the network of knowingly lying about a phone call he had with President… pic.twitter.com/IuIbWnbjOj
— News is Dead (@newsisdead) June 27, 2025
Fox News has responded forcefully, calling the lawsuit “a transparent publicity stunt” designed to “chill free speech critical of him.” The network has vowed to “defend this case vigorously and look forward to it being dismissed,” suggesting they believe Newsom’s claims lack legal merit.
The lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between Newsom and Trump, including past disputes over federalization of the California National Guard and threats to withhold federal funding from California. Notably, Newsom previously sued the Trump administration to prevent the deployment of U.S. Marines and the National Guard to Los Angeles during earlier protests.
Legal Challenges and Political Implications
Legal experts note that Newsom faces significant hurdles in proving his defamation case as a public figure. Under the “actual malice” standard established in New York Times v. Sullivan, Newsom must prove not only that Fox News made false statements but that they did so with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.
The governor’s lawsuit also demands an on-air apology from Jesse Watters, in addition to the substantial monetary damages. This unusual request underscores Newsom’s stated goal of forcing accountability for what he views as deliberate misinformation that affected national discussion about his leadership during a crisis.
“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 stated in connection with the lawsuit filing.
Conservative critics have questioned the timing and motivation behind Newsom’s lawsuit, suggesting it may be a political maneuver aimed at raising his national profile. Attorney Harmeet Dhillon pointed out on social media that the lawsuit appears conveniently timed as speculation grows about Newsom’s potential presidential ambitions.
The case highlights growing concerns about media accountability and the spread of misinformation in an increasingly polarized political landscape. For conservative Americans, the lawsuit raises questions about whether powerful Democrats are attempting to silence critical media coverage through legal intimidation.
As the case proceeds through the Delaware courts, it will likely face intense scrutiny from legal analysts and political observers on both sides of the aisle. Defamation cases involving public figures historically face steep challenges, but the precedent of Fox’s settlement with Dominion may influence how aggressively the network defends this case.
The litigation also comes at a time when many conservative Americans are concerned about what they perceive as increasing threats to free speech and press freedoms. Fox News’s characterization of the lawsuit as an attempt to “chill free speech” resonates with many who worry about government officials using lawsuits to silence media criticism.
For Newsom’s supporters, the lawsuit represents a bold stand against what they view as deliberate misinformation from conservative media. For his critics, particularly conservatives who question his leadership in California, the case appears to be political theater designed to distract from his record on issues like crime, homelessness, and the state’s economic challenges.
Embarrassing errors in this letter… “discrete” not discreet for one… https://t.co/RI6h15B8d7
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) June 28, 2025
The $787 million figure sought by Newsom has drawn particular attention, as it exactly matches the Dominion settlement amount. This deliberate parallel suggests Newsom believes Fox’s alleged misrepresentations about him are comparable in severity to the network’s coverage of voting machine companies during the 2020 election.
As this high-profile legal battle unfolds, it will test not only the legal boundaries of defamation law but also the public’s perception of media accountability, political motivations, and the proper balance between free press protections and the right of public figures to defend themselves against allegedly false reporting.
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Newsom sues Fox News for defamation over Trump phone call
Newsom sues Fox News over defamation claims about call with Trump