News Summary
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, claiming the network misrepresented a phone call he had with former President Trump. The lawsuit follows comments made by Fox anchor Jesse Watters, suggesting Newsom lied about the call’s nature. Newsom argues that Fox’s actions were intended to damage his reputation due to political bias, seeking accountability amidst growing concerns over media integrity.
California – California Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated a lawsuit against Fox News, seeking damages of at least $787 million for alleged defamation over comments made about a phone call he had with former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit has been filed in the Superior Court in Delaware, where Fox News is incorporated, marking a significant legal challenge against the media outlet.
The heart of Newsom’s complaint revolves around comments made by Fox News anchor Jesse Watters. Watters is alleged to have accused Newsom of lying regarding the nature of a phone call that took place on June 7. During an episode of his program, Watters claimed Newsom misrepresented the conversation, which lasted approximately 16 minutes. The discussion occurred the day before Trump deployed California National Guard troops to Los Angeles, adding a political context to the claims.
In his lawsuit, Newsom argues that Fox News intentionally spread misleading information as part of an effort to support Trump, stating that the network has “significant ill will” toward him due to his progressive policies. The lawsuit contends that the defamatory statements made by Fox hosts and reporters were meant to damage his reputation and credibility among voters, and it cites California’s Unfair Competition Law for violations related to deceptive business practices.
The amount Newsom is seeking closely mirrors the $787.5 million settlement reached by Fox with Dominion Voting Systems in April 2023 concerning separate defamation issues. This parallel may underscore the seriousness of Newsom’s allegations and his intentions to hold Fox accountable for its reporting.
Following the allegations made by Watters and other Fox News personalities, Newsom took to social media to contest Trump’s assertion about the call, categorically denying that any recent communication took place. He emphasized, “There was no call. Not even a voicemail,” indicating that there may be confusion surrounding the context of the discussions detailed in the media.
As part of his legal strategy, Newsom’s legal team previously contacted Fox News, proposing that he would voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit if the network issued a retraction and provided an on-air apology from Watters. However, Fox News has dismissed Newsom’s lawsuit as a “transparent publicity stunt” aimed at stifling critical free speech regarding the governor’s actions and policies.
Newsom’s lawsuit points out that following the aired remarks by Fox, an edited clip of Trump’s comments lacked crucial context regarding the dates and content of the conversation, which the governor’s legal representatives argue further constitutes defamation. These actions have supposedly led to a decline in Newsom’s approval ratings, which the lawsuit claims directly violates standards of fairness in media representation.
This case signifies a growing trend of politicians suing media organizations, especially in the polarized political climate surrounding Trump’s presidency and the subsequent reactions from progressive leaders like Newsom. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome may influence the interactions between media outlets and public officials, particularly regarding perceived biases and accountability in reporting.
Governor Newsom has expressed a determination to advocate for transparency in media and to combat what he considers media propaganda that misinforms the public. As the lawsuit progresses, it serves as a crucial turning point in the ongoing discourse surrounding media responsibility and public trust in political communication.
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- Politico: Newsom Sues Fox News for Defamation
- New York Times: Gavin Newsom Files Lawsuit Against Fox News
- Wikipedia: Gavin Newsom
