• California Gov. Gavin Newsom is suing Fox News for defamation over coverage of a phone call with President Trump. Newsom seeks $787 million in damages, alleging the network aired false claims and manipulated video edits.

SACRAMENTO, CA — California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News, seeking at least $787 million in damages over claims the network knowingly aired false information regarding a phone call with President Donald Trump. The lawsuit accuses Fox and host Jesse Watters of deliberately misrepresenting the timeline of the call, allegedly using deceptive edits and misleading chyrons to suggest Newsom lied about the interaction.

The dispute centers on Trump’s June 10 public statement that he had spoken with Newsom “a day ago,” prompting Watters and Fox News to air segments questioning Newsom’s credibility. Newsom maintains that he never denied speaking to Trump entirely but clarified that no call occurred on the date Trump specified.

“Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him?” Watters asked on-air, according to the lawsuit, which includes screenshots from his primetime show. The chyron during the broadcast read: “Gavin Lied About Trump’s Call.”

Timeline of the Alleged Misrepresentation

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According to the lawsuit, Trump provided Fox News with screenshots showing that he spoke with Newsom on June 6 at 9:59 p.m. PDT and June 7 at 12:59 a.m. EDT—technically separate days but referring to the same conversation. Newsom contends that he was factually correct in denying a call “the day before” Trump’s June 10 comment.

“Fox News manipulated the timing of the call to make it appear Governor Newsom was lying,” the complaint alleges. The suit further states that Fox misled its viewers by omitting Trump’s use of the phrase “a day ago” in its reporting, instead framing the call logs as hard evidence that Newsom had been dishonest.

Legal and Political Ramifications

The lawsuit comes just over a year after Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million over false claims aired in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Legal experts say this new lawsuit could again test the network’s editorial judgment and standards of factual accuracy.

“This is not just about a dispute over dates,” said constitutional law professor Aaron Greene of UC Berkeley. “It’s about whether a major media outlet knowingly altered the context of a statement to defame a sitting governor.”

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In a statement to The Center Square, a Fox News spokesperson said the network will “vigorously defend against this politically motivated lawsuit.”

Public Interest and Media Accountability

The lawsuit underscores growing concerns among public officials about media accountability in the age of segmented news and partisan commentary. Newsom has positioned the lawsuit as a broader fight against disinformation and political targeting.

“This is about truth, trust, and the responsibility of media to accurately inform the public,” Newsom said in a public statement.

The case could have major implications for press freedom and defamation standards, especially concerning elected officials and the role of public figures in high-profile disputes.

With litigation now underway, California taxpayers, media watchdogs, and political observers will be watching closely. Readers are encouraged to comment below and share this article.

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