• Newsom sues Fox for $787 million, accusing the network of lying about a June call with Trump. 
  • He demands a retraction and on-air apology, or he’ll press the case under “actual malice” defamation standards. 

What happened: Phone call timing controversy 

California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News on June 27. He alleges the network falsely claimed he misled the public about the timing of a phone call with former President Donald Trump on June 6–7, which occurred during a period of federal immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles. Newsom asserts that Fox host Jesse Watters wrongly accused him of lying on air, and that the network deliberately used misleading on-screen graphics and selectively edited footage to imply deception.

The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, cites the legal standard of “actual malice”—meaning Fox either knowingly spread falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. Newsom is demanding both a full on-air apology from Watters and a formal retraction from the network. If these conditions are met, he has offered to drop the case. Otherwise, he intends to proceed under constitutional press liability frameworks. The filing follows recent political tensions over media accountability and misinformation.

Also Read: California’s Gavin Newsom vetoes controversial AI safety bill
Also Read: Ossoff calls for Trump impeachment over crypto dinner

Why it’s important

This lawsuit could redefine the legal boundaries between free speech and defamation, especially in the context of political reporting by partisan media outlets. By invoking the “actual malice” standard from New York Times v. Sullivan, Newsom is aiming to hold Fox News accountable under a high constitutional bar.

Beyond legal implications, the move underscores a broader political shift. With misinformation becoming a critical issue, Democratic leaders are increasingly turning to litigation instead of public rebuttal. This strategy reflects growing frustration with the perceived impunity of certain media channels.

For Fox News, the stakes are significant. Following its $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, another high-profile lawsuit could further erode its public trust. It may also affect relationships with advertisers, influence editorial caution internally, and attract shareholder scrutiny.