California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Friday, demanding $787 million in damages. The suit claims that host Jesse Watters falsely accused Newsom of lying about a phone call with Donald Trump related to the recent deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
Watters’ show aired an edited clip of Trump implying he spoke with Newsom on June 9 — the same day 700 U.S. Marines were sent to Los Angeles — and asked viewers, “Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him?” However, Fox simultaneously displayed a call log confirming the conversation occurred on June 7, as Newsom stated. The governor immediately denied Trump’s claim on X that day.
Newsom’s legal team argues the broadcast deliberately distorted the timeline to harm his public credibility. “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 told POLITICO.
The lawsuit was filed in Delaware, where Fox is incorporated. Filed in Newsom’s personal capacity, any awarded damages would be donated to anti-Trump causes. The legal claim also cites a violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law.
His attorneys — Mark Bankson and Michael Teter — say the governor is open to dropping the suit if Fox retracts its claims and Watters apologizes on air. In a letter to Fox, they mocked the network’s credibility and referred to Trump’s “delusionary” statements.
Newsom’s tense relationship with conservative media has long been visible. He’s frequently clashed with Fox hosts, even while appearing on the network, and maintains a love-hate dynamic with Trump — trading lawsuits and public barbs.
This lawsuit is the latest escalation, signaling Newsom’s readiness to combat disinformation ahead of any future presidential ambitions.
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