Newsom ⁣Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox ‍News Over Trump Call

updated June 27,‌ 2025

California Gov. Gavin‌ Newsom is ‍taking legal⁢ action against ⁣Fox News, seeking $787 million in damages. The lawsuit,‍ filed Friday ‍in Delaware superior Court, ‍alleges the conservative network defamed him with misleading statements ‍about ‍a phone call with former President ⁣Donald Trump. The California governor is taking a firm stance‍ against what he⁤ calls a “propaganda machine,” alleging defamation and seeking ​substantial damages.

The heart of the dispute centers on comments made by Fox News anchor Jesse Watters, who accused Newsom ‌of lying about the occurrence of a​ phone call with Trump‌ in early June. Newsom’s legal team argues that⁣ Fox News intentionally ⁤distorted the facts to curry favor with​ the former president, who has publicly feuded with Newsom over immigration‍ enforcement and the deployment of‌ the National Guard in Los Angeles.

Newsom’s‌ lawsuit claims Fox​ News ⁣harbors “notable ill will” toward him due ⁣to his progressive values and opposition to ‌the network’s‌ agenda. The suit mirrors the‌ amount Fox corp. paid Dominion ​voting Systems ⁣to settle a similar defamation case related to the‍ 2020 election.

The ⁤governor’s legal team has offered Fox News a path to avoid the lawsuit. In a letter, they stated newsom would voluntarily dismiss the case if Fox News retracts the claim that he lied about the phone call and issues a formal on-air apology from Watters and the network.

Newsom⁤ addressed the lawsuit‌ directly, 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.” He added, “I believe ‌the American people should be ‌able to trust the facts ​they receive from a major news outlet. Until Fox is willing to be truthful, ​I will keep fighting against their propaganda ⁤machine.”

Fox News responded to the lawsuit with ⁣a statement calling it a “clear publicity stunt” ⁢designed‍ to stifle free speech. “We will defend this case vigorously and look forward to⁢ it being dismissed,” ⁣the network‌ said.

According to the lawsuit, Newsom and trump spoke ‍for approximately 16 minutes‍ on June 6 or 7. While‌ the conversation’s specific content is not central to the case, the suit emphasizes⁣ that Trump did not discuss the Los⁢ Angeles demonstrations or the National Guard during the call.The⁢ suit notes that when Newsom ‍attempted to raise the issue, Trump changed the subject.

The lawsuit details ⁣how,‍ days later, Trump claimed to have spoken with Newsom “a day ago” and criticized his handling⁤ of the situation ⁢in Los Angeles. Newsom denied the call occurred, stating on social media, “There ⁤was no ‌call. Not even a voicemail.”

The suit further ​alleges that Watters played an edited ⁣clip of Trump’s statement on his show,​ omitting the president’s claim about speaking to Newsom “a day ago.” Watters then questioned why Newsom would lie ​about the​ call, with a chyron reading “Gavin Lied About Trump’s Call.”

The lawsuit asserts that Fox News chose to defame Newsom by branding him a liar, rather than simply presenting the facts. “Recognizing​ that‍ President​ Trump was⁤ not correct, yet wanting to curry favor with ‍the President, Fox News⁤ willfully distorted the ‌facts,” the suit‍ states.

What’s next

The case now moves to the Delaware Superior Court, where fox ‍News is expected to file‌ a response. The legal battle coudl potentially lead to a high-profile trial examining the‍ boundaries of free⁤ speech and ‌the responsibilities of news organizations.