California Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched a staggering $787 million lawsuit against Fox News, accusing the network of defamation over its reporting on a disputed phone call with President Donald Trump.
This legal battle centers on Fox News segments claiming Newsom lied about contact with Trump during anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. As reported by The Daily Mail, the governor’s suit alleges the network aired misleading content to paint him as dishonest.
The controversy kicked off with host Jesse Watters broadcasting a clip on June 10, where Trump claimed to have called Newsom “a day ago” from the Oval Office. Watters then displayed a White House screenshot showing a 16-minute call between the two on June 7, or late June 6 in California time. Using this, he accused Newsom of fabricating a lack of communication while unrest gripped the streets.
Newsom, however, had already acknowledged an earlier call, and now argues that Watters’ segment used deceptive edits to hide Trump’s misstatement about the timing. The governor’s team insists Fox News deliberately misrepresented the situation to damage his credibility.
In addition to the hefty damages, Newsom’s suit demands a court order to stop Fox News from airing further claims on this matter. His attorneys also sent a letter requesting an on-air apology from Watters for the edited clip. If Fox retracts the story and apologizes, Newsom has promised to drop the case.
Speaking to major outlets, Newsom declared, “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.” Such a comparison to the $787 million Dominion Voting Systems settlement in 2023 is no accident; it’s a pointed jab at Fox’s history of costly legal missteps. While the parallel is striking, one wonders if equating a voting machine controversy to a personal defamation claim holds up under scrutiny.
Newsom doubled down on social media, posting on X, “If only he had shown the right ones,” referencing a call days before Trump’s claimed timing. He quipped, “Trump doesn’t even know what day it is,” a sharp but restrained dig at the president’s recollection. It’s a clever line, though it sidesteps the deeper question of whether the governor’s own narrative is airtight.
Fox News, for its part, has brushed off the lawsuit as a “transparent publicity stunt” meant to stifle criticism. The network issued a statement vowing to “defend this case vigorously” and anticipating a swift dismissal. Such confidence suggests Fox sees this as more political theater than legal threat, a view many on the right might share.
The backdrop to this clash is already tense, with Newsom and Trump sparring over military deployments to California amid anti-ICE protests. Trump federalized the California National Guard on June 7, followed by deploying an additional 2,000 Guard members two days later. By June 10, 700 Marines were also activated to reinforce order in the city.
Newsom retaliated with a separate lawsuit against Trump, arguing the troop deployment violated the U.S. Constitution. Meanwhile, Trump has threatened to arrest Newsom for obstructing federal orders, escalating their public feud. This lawsuit against Fox News feels like another front in an ongoing war of policy and perception.
From a conservative lens, Newsom’s $787 million demand raises eyebrows—not just for its audacity, but for its timing amid California’s broader struggles. While the governor claims personal defamation, one can’t help but see this as a distraction from criticism of his handling of state unrest. Shouldn’t a leader focus on quelling riots rather than chasing media apologies?
Yet, fairness demands acknowledging Newsom’s right to defend his reputation if he believes Fox News crossed a line with misleading edits. The question remains whether the network’s reporting was sloppy journalism or calculated slander. That distinction will likely define this case’s outcome in court.
Fox News’ dismissal of the suit as a “publicity stunt” resonates with those wary of progressive leaders weaponizing lawsuits to silence dissent.
If criticism of public figures becomes a legal minefield, where does that leave robust debate in a free society? Newsom’s insistence on “fighting against their propaganda machine” sounds noble, but it risks chilling honest scrutiny.
Still, the governor’s personal capacity in filing this suit—confirmed by his office—suggests a genuine grievance rather than a taxpayer-funded vendetta. It’s a small but important detail that tempers the narrative of a power-hungry politician. Even so, the sheer scale of the damages sought feels more like a statement than a realistic expectation.
