Gavin Newsom sues Fox News for $787 million over defamation

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal action against Fox News, filing a defamation lawsuit for $787 million following the network's portrayal of a phone call he had with President Donald Trump. The lawsuit was formally filed on June 27, 2025, in the Delaware Superior Court, where Fox News is incorporated. The conflict began during reports around the Los Angeles protests against Trump's immigration policies, specifically regarding the federal deployment of National Guard troops. In June, host Jesse Watters accused Newsom of lying about a phone call with Trump, suggesting that Newsom had denied speaking with the president when, in fact, they did have a conversation but not on the dates mentioned by Trump. Newsom's allegations stem from Watters’ comments during a show where he claimed Newsom had misrepresented the details of the call. The governor refuted Watters' claims, arguing that Fox News edited the segment deceptively to create a false narrative that he was 'lying' regarding the timeline of their conversation. Newsom's legal filing includes a request for a formal retraction and an on-air apology from Jesse Watters, stating that he is willing to drop the lawsuit should Fox News comply with these demands. This lawsuit reflects a broader pattern of political figures confronting media organizations over what they perceive as misinformation. The amount Newsom is seeking in damages closely mirrors the $787.5 million paid by Fox News to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a previous defamation case. The governor suggested that consequences must follow when a major news outlet allegedly spreads misinformation, 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.' Fox News has dismissed the lawsuit as a 'transparent publicity stunt' that will be vigorously defended, expecting it to be dismissed. This incident has raised questions about journalistic ethics and the standards of accountability for major news organizations, particularly in how they report on political figures. As public officials must meet a high legal bar to win defamation suits, it is unclear how the lawsuit will proceed given the complexities of proving malice and the intent behind the reported claims. The outcome could set a precedent in the ongoing debate regarding the relationship between media representation and political discourse, especially in the charged environment surrounding the current political climate.