California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Friday, accusing the network of intentionally spreading false information about his phone call with former President Donald Trump.
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, claims Fox knowingly aired a misleading report suggesting Newsom lied about the timing of a conversation with Trump.
The false narrative, according to Newsom, damaged his reputation and misled the public during a tense period marked by federal immigration actions and protests in Los Angeles, Reuters reported.
Newsom said he had spoken to Trump late on June 6 or early June 7, but Fox host Jesse Watters claimed on his show that Newsom denied speaking to Trump just a day before Trump deployed US troops to California.
"Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him?" Watters asked, airing a clip that implied the governor was dishonest.
The chyron on Watters' show read, "Gavin Lied About Trump's Call," a statement Newsom's legal team says was designed to harm his image and support Trump's version of events.
🚨 JUST IN: Disgraced California Governor Gavin Newsom is suing Fox News for $787 MILLION, accusing the network of lying about the LA riots. pic.twitter.com/io3CdaurFu
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) June 27, 2025
Read more: Gov. Newsom Urges Special Session to Cut California's Gas Prices 40% Higher Than US Average
Newsom Demands Fox Apologize or Face Court Battle
Newsom is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages, the total matching Fox's $787.5 million settlement in 2023 with Dominion Voting Systems.
"Enough of their lies," Newsom said in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter). He added that Fox's actions were part of a pattern of protecting Trump by attacking his opponents.
According to Politico, Fox News responded by calling the lawsuit a "transparent publicity stunt," adding, "We will defend this case vigorously and look forward to it being dismissed."
Newsom's attorneys said he would drop the case if Fox retracts the claim and if both Watters and the network apologize on air.
To win the case, Newsom must prove Fox acted with actual malice—meaning they either knew the statement was false or showed reckless disregard for the truth. His legal team argues that Fox edited footage and ignored facts to support Trump, knowing the story was untrue.
The suit adds to a growing list of legal clashes between public officials and media networks. Newsom, considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate, is suing in a personal capacity. If he wins, his team says the money will go to causes opposing Trump.
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