SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Friday, claiming the network spread false information about a phone call between him and former President Donald Trump. The suit alleges Fox host Jesse Watters misled viewers by airing a deceptively edited clip of Trump, falsely suggesting Newsom lied about speaking with the former president.
The lawsuit was filed in Delaware Superior Court, where Fox News is incorporated. Newsom is suing in a personal capacity and said he will cover any legal costs from his campaign funds. If he wins, he plans to donate the proceeds to anti-Trump causes.
Newsom’s legal team says the defamation occurred during a recent segment on Jesse Watters’ Primetime. In the show, Watters accused the Democratic governor of lying about when he last spoke with Trump, who ordered National Guard troops into Los Angeles earlier this month.
Watters played a clip of Trump stating he spoke with Newsom “a day ago,” implying the conversation happened on June 9, the same day 700 Marines were deployed. Newsom insists he last spoke with Trump on June 7 and posted on X to refute the claim.
Watters aired the comment while also showing Trump’s call log, which did in fact list June 7 as the last conversation date. Newsom’s lawyers argue this contradiction proves the host knowingly misled viewers by suggesting Newsom lied, damaging his reputation and political future.
The $787 million demand matches the amount Fox News paid Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 to settle a separate defamation case involving election misinformation. Newsom’s lawyers say the situation is similar, as it involves false claims broadcast to millions of Americans.
“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 said in a statement to POLITICO.
The lawsuit also claims Fox violated California’s Unfair Competition Law, which bans deceptive business practices. Newsom is asking for a full retraction and an on-air apology from Watters. His legal team says he will drop the case if those conditions are met.
Public officials must meet a high legal bar to win defamation lawsuits. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1964 ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan requires officials to prove that false statements were made with “actual malice.” Newsom’s team argues the edited clip and misleading commentary meet that threshold.
His attorneys, Mark Bankson and Michael Teter, are experienced in high-profile defamation cases. Bankson previously helped Sandy Hook families win millions in damages from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
In a letter to Fox, the lawyers mocked Trump’s memory and criticized Fox for covering his mistake. “It is perhaps unsurprising that a near-octogenarian with a history of delusional public statements… might confuse the dates,” the letter stated.
Newsom’s relationship with Fox News has been tense for decades. He frequently appears on the network, often clashing with conservative hosts like Sean Hannity. While he enjoys the exposure, he has regularly criticized the network’s right-wing bias.
Newsom’s feud with Trump has followed a similar pattern. They have shared moments of cooperation, such as during wildfire emergencies, but have also traded sharp insults. Earlier this year, Newsom hugged Trump during a visit to Los Angeles, only to attack him later over his policies.
Conservative media outlets have recently increased their scrutiny of Newsom. The New York Post mocked him for sipping wine in Napa the same weekend Trump deployed the National Guard. Newsom’s office clarified he was attending a cancer fundraiser in honor of his late mother.
Newsom’s lawsuit arrives as he continues to raise his national profile. Many see him as a potential Democratic presidential candidate. His team believes Fox’s broadcast could harm his image with voters.
The outcome of the case may also shape how future defamation suits are handled against major media companies. Newsom’s bold move signals that Democratic leaders may follow Trump’s lead in holding the press legally accountable for misinformation.
If successful, this case could set another major precedent in the battle between public figures and powerful media outlets.
