(DailyAnswer.org) – California Governor Gavin Newsom’s $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News exposes how the network allegedly manipulated video evidence to falsely accuse him of lying about critical communications with Trump during the chaotic Los Angeles riots.
Key Takeaways
- Newsom is suing Fox News for $787 million—the exact amount Fox paid to settle with Dominion Voting Systems—claiming the network deliberately edited Trump’s statements to create a false narrative
- The lawsuit centers on Fox host Jesse Watters allegedly misrepresenting phone calls between Newsom and Trump during the June 2025 Los Angeles immigration protests and riots
- Newsom claims Fox News deliberately removed Trump’s statement that they spoke “a day ago” to falsely accuse the governor of lying about their communication timeline
- The governor has pledged that any proceeds from the lawsuit would go to “anti-Trump causes,” highlighting the political nature of the legal battle
- The case represents an escalation in the ongoing conflict between California’s Democratic leadership and conservative media over immigration enforcement and riot response
Fox News Faces Massive Defamation Lawsuit from California Governor
California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a staggering $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, claiming the network deliberately misrepresented his communications with former President Donald Trump during the June 2025 Los Angeles riots. Filed on June 27, the lawsuit specifically targets Fox News host Jesse Watters, accusing him of falsely claiming Newsom lied about the timing of phone calls with Trump amid the chaos of federal immigration enforcement actions that sparked widespread civil unrest across Los Angeles.
The lawsuit’s eye-catching $787 million demand exactly matches the amount Fox News paid to settle its defamation case with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023—a deliberate parallel that observers note is designed to highlight a pattern of alleged misinformation by the network. Newsom’s legal team asserts that Fox News knowingly manipulated video evidence by editing out Trump’s statement that the call occurred “a day ago” to create a false narrative that the governor was being dishonest about their communications during a critical public safety crisis.
Riots, Immigration Raids, and Political Tension
The legal battle stems from the tumultuous events of early June 2025, when Trump deployed both the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles following protests against federal immigration enforcement operations. What began as demonstrations quickly escalated into violent confrontations after federal forces reportedly used “tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets” against protesters. The deployment decision created immediate friction between federal authorities and California’s state leadership.
Newsom publicly denounced Trump’s actions as a “manufactured crisis” designed to create political theater at the expense of public safety. The governor repeatedly called on Trump to “stand down,” accusing the former president of intentionally inflaming tensions by deploying military forces against civilian protesters. This public confrontation set the stage for the disputed phone calls that would later become the centerpiece of Fox News’ coverage and Newsom’s subsequent lawsuit.
The Disputed Phone Calls at the Center of the Case
According to court documents, the defamation claim centers on a June 10 segment of Jesse Watters’ Fox News program where the host accused Newsom of lying about when he last spoke with Trump. The lawsuit states that Newsom’s last verified call with Trump occurred at 1:28 a.m. ET on June 7, with no further contact on June 9 as Trump had claimed in public statements. The governor’s legal team alleges that Fox News deliberately edited video footage to remove Trump’s statement that they had spoken “a day ago.”
This selective editing, Newsom claims, was designed to portray him as dishonest about his communications with the president during a major crisis affecting his state. The lawsuit argues that Fox News knew the true timeline of communications between the two leaders but chose to broadcast false information to its viewers, damaging Newsom’s reputation and credibility during a time of emergency management.
Political Motivations and Legal Challenges
Newsom’s decision to file the lawsuit in his personal capacity rather than as governor has raised eyebrows among legal observers. By doing so, he avoids potential conflicts regarding the use of public resources for what could be perceived as a political fight. More tellingly, Newsom has publicly pledged that any monetary damages awarded would be directed to “anti-Trump causes,” making the political nature of the legal action unmistakable.
Legal experts note that Newsom faces significant hurdles in proving defamation as a public figure. Under the landmark New York Times v. Sullivan standard, public officials must demonstrate “actual malice”—proving that Fox News knew their statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The governor’s legal team will need to present compelling evidence that Fox News deliberately manipulated information rather than simply making an editorial error.
Broader Implications for Media and Government Relations
This high-profile lawsuit highlights the increasingly contentious relationship between Democratic state leaders and conservative media outlets during times of crisis. The case comes amid growing tensions over immigration enforcement, with California’s sanctuary policies directly conflicting with federal enforcement priorities. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has already sent formal inquiries to Newsom regarding his handling of the riots, suggesting congressional Republicans are preparing their own narrative about the events.
“The deployment of federal forces was an illegal overreach that endangered both civilians and law enforcement,” Newsom stated during a press conference following the filing of his lawsuit. “Instead of holding the administration accountable for manufacturing this crisis, Fox News chose to fabricate a story about my communications with the president.”
As of publication, Fox News has not issued a formal response to the lawsuit, though legal analysts expect the network to mount a vigorous defense based on First Amendment protections. The case represents yet another chapter in the ongoing battle between traditional media institutions and government officials over the boundaries of protected speech, editorial discretion, and accountability for broadcast content.
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