California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal action against Fox News, filing a defamation lawsuit that demands a staggering $787 million in compensation. The suit, lodged in Delaware Superior Court, centers on the network's allegations that Newsom lied about a phone conversation with former President Donald Trump. Stemming from a segment on "Primetime with Jesse Watters" aired on June 10, the dispute has escalated into a high-stakes legal clash.
According to the lawsuit, Governor Newsom now asserts that he indeed engaged in a 16-minute phone discussion with Trump on June 7, contradicting his earlier public denial. This admission aligns with Trump's recounting of the event and shared call records reported by Trending Politics and the Daily Caller. However, during the contentious Fox News segment, Jesse Watters presented screenshots of what he claimed were Trump's call logs, challenging Newsom's previous statement that no such call occurred.
The broadcast in question, which suggested that Newsom was dishonest about the exchange with Trump, has been sharply criticized by Newsom's legal team. They argue that the clip aired was misleading, lacking proper context, and portrayed Newsom in a false light. The segment picked up immediately after Trump told reporters about speaking with Newsom "a day ago," a detail Newsom's attorneys claim was used to cast doubt on the Governor's integrity.
In a scathing letter to Fox News, Newsom's attorneys went further, questioning Trump's credibility and condemning the network's handling of the situation. They described Trump as a "near-octogenarian with a history of delusionary public statements and unhinged late-night social media screeds." Such characterizations reflect the heated nature of the legal battle, highlighting the tension between the Governor's office and the conservative news outlet.
The amount of damages Newsom seeks—nearly identical to the $787.5 million Fox News paid in a separate 2023 defamation settlement to Dominion Voting Systems—draws a parallel between the two cases. The Governor's legal team seems to be positioning this lawsuit as another instance where the network's reporting has come under fire for alleged defamation.
Should Fox News agree to issue a retraction and secure a live, public apology from Watters, Newsom has indicated through reporting by the Daily Caller that he would consider withdrawing the lawsuit. This potential settlement was reportedly communicated to Politico as well.
In response to the lawsuit, Fox News has expressed its intent to vigorously contest the claims. A spokesperson for the network dismissed the suit as a political ploy aimed at suppressing criticism of the Governor, emphasizing their commitment to defending free speech.
Governor Newsom took to Twitter to assert his stance, stating, "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." The tweet, accompanied by a graphic stating "See you in court, @FoxNews," encapsulates the confrontational nature of this unfolding legal saga.
