Defamation WAR Erupts—$787M at Stake

Defamation WAR Erupts—$787M at Stake

Governor Gavin Newsom just threw down a $787 million gauntlet against Fox News – the exact same figure the network paid to Dominion Voting Systems last year – in what may be the most transparently political lawsuit California has ever seen.

At a Glance

  • Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News over alleged misrepresentation of conversations with Trump during LA riots
  • The lawsuit centers on Fox host Jesse Watters allegedly editing a video to falsely support Trump’s claim about National Guard deployment discussions
  • Fox News has dismissed the lawsuit as a “transparent publicity stunt” designed to chill free speech critical of Newsom
  • The lawsuit demands an on-air apology from Jesse Watters and mirrors the exact settlement amount Fox paid to Dominion in 2023

Newsom’s Latest Political Theater

While California burns – literally and figuratively – Governor Gavin Newsom has decided his top priority is filing a massive lawsuit against Fox News. The lawsuit, seeking an eye-popping $787 million in damages, alleges Fox News host Jesse Watters edited video to misrepresent a phone call between Newsom and former President Donald Trump during the recent Los Angeles riots. The cherry on top? That figure just happens to match exactly what Fox paid to Dominion Voting Systems last year. Subtle as a sledgehammer, Governor.

At the heart of this dispute is a June 6 phone call between Newsom and Trump. While both sides agree the call occurred, the content of that conversation is being hotly contested. Trump later claimed he spoke with Newsom about deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles during the riots, which Newsom vehemently denies. Fox News, particularly Jesse Watters, is accused of selectively editing content to support Trump’s version of events – a claim that has Newsom clutching his pearls and running to the courthouse.

Follow the Money and the Timing

The lawsuit was filed in Delaware Superior Court, where Fox News is incorporated, and demands an on-air apology from Watters. Let’s be honest – this is less about defamation and more about political theater. The identical $787 million figure to the Dominion settlement isn’t coincidental; it’s calculated for maximum media attention. Newsom’s statement essentially admits as much, tying the two cases together in public consciousness while his state faces ongoing riots, rampant homelessness, and an exodus of residents and businesses.

“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.” – Gavin Newsom

Fox News isn’t backing down, calling Newsom’s lawsuit exactly what it appears to be – a shameless publicity stunt. “Gov. Newsom’s transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him,” the network stated, vowing to defend the case vigorously. What’s fascinating is the timing of all this. As Newsom’s national profile grows and speculation about his presidential ambitions intensifies, he’s found a convenient enemy in Fox News to rally his base and distract from his failures at home.

California Burns While Newsom Plays Politics

The most outrageous aspect of this lawsuit isn’t even the astronomical sum demanded – it’s that Newsom is focusing on this media battle while Los Angeles was literally burning. Instead of demonstrating leadership during a crisis, Newsom was more concerned with what Jesse Watters said about him on television. This is a governor who has repeatedly failed to address rampant crime, homelessness, and economic decline throughout California, yet somehow found the energy to launch a lawsuit that smacks of presidential campaign positioning.

“Gov. Newsom’s transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him” – Fox News

For public officials like Newsom, defamation cases are notoriously difficult to win. He’ll need to prove actual malice – that Fox News knew what they were reporting was false or showed reckless disregard for the truth. But the lawsuit itself isn’t about winning in court; it’s about winning in the court of public opinion, particularly with the Democratic base. While Californians suffer under his failed leadership, Newsom is busy with lawfare, using the legal system as a campaign tool rather than focusing on the actual job taxpayers are paying him to do.