Gov. Gavin Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million Over Defamation Claims Tied to Trump Call

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is suing Fox News for $787 million, accusing the network of lying about a phone call he had with President Donald Trump.

The Details: The lawsuit alleges that Fox News aired deceptively edited video segments and made false statements suggesting Newsom lied about a phone call with Trump. Newsom is seeking a formal retraction and an on-air apology. Fox News has rejected the claims, describing the lawsuit as a "transparent publicity stunt" intended to suppress news coverage.

For Context: The lawsuit was filed in Delaware Superior Court, where Fox Corporation is incorporated. The damages sought mirror the $787.5 million settlement Fox News reached with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023. The case remains pending. The dispute centers on a phone call that occurred during protests in Los Angeles following federal immigration enforcement actions.

Key Quotes: Newsom said in a statement: "Until Fox is willing to be truthful, I will keep fighting against their propaganda machine." Fox News rejected the claims, saying in a statement that "Gov. Newsom's transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him."

How The Media Covered: Media coverage across the spectrum appeared largely consistent. However, The Daily Wire (Right bias) framed its headline with the phrase "Dominion-sized lawsuit," referencing the high-profile Dominion Voting Systems case. CNN (Lean Left) pointed to rumors about Newsom's future political ambitions as "a potential 2028 presidential contender." Reuters (Center) provided legal context by citing the New York Times v. Sullivan standard for defamation involving public figures.

 Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission.