California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News. He claims the network distorted its reporting to make it seem like he lied about a phone call with former President Donald Trump. Newsom is seeking $787 million in damages, a move that highlights his push against misinformation in the media.
The lawsuit, which was announced on Friday, positions Newsom as a key player in the ongoing conflict between Democrats and Republicans regarding media ethics. In the legal documents, Newsom accuses Fox News of abandoning basic journalistic standards for what he calls “malicious propaganda.” He argues that holding Fox accountable is essential to protect democracy from falsehoods.
Newsom’s decision to sue comes after Fox settled a separate defamation case in 2023, admitting to spreading false claims about the 2020 presidential election. Newsom believes that Fox has not changed its ways since that settlement.
In response to the lawsuit, Fox News criticized Newsom, suggesting that he is trying to stifle free speech. The network called the lawsuit a “transparent publicity stunt” and vowed to defend itself vigorously.
The controversy began when Trump claimed he spoke to Newsom about immigration issues, suggesting their conversation happened recently. Newsom quickly refuted this, stating they had a call on June 6, not the day Trump mentioned. He emphasized that the National Guard was not discussed during their conversation.
Newsom’s attorneys argue that Trump’s comments misrepresented the timing of their call, which could imply they discussed troop deployment to Los Angeles, something that did not happen. They claim Fox deliberately misled viewers by editing Trump’s remarks to support his narrative while ignoring Newsom’s denial.
Fox News hosts, including Jesse Watters, have publicly questioned why Newsom would deny the call. During one segment, a banner claimed, “Gavin lied about Trump’s call,” which Newsom’s legal team argues is a clear distortion of the truth.
Newsom has been vocal about his disdain for Fox, viewing it as part of a right-wing media landscape that spreads misinformation to benefit Trump and his allies. Despite this, he has also used appearances on Fox to bolster his image as a strong Democratic leader, especially as he eyes a potential presidential run in 2028.
In his lawsuit, Newsom stated that he would drop the case if Fox retracts its claims and issues a formal apology. He has made it clear that any damages awarded would go to charity.
Fox News has maintained that its coverage of Trump’s claims is protected under the First Amendment, and the case could go to trial next year if no settlement is reached.