(DailyChive.com) – Governor Gavin Newsom’s $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News reveals a calculated attempt to weaponize the legal system against conservative media while diverting attention from his catastrophic handling of the Los Angeles riots.
Key Takeaways
- Newsom is suing Fox News for $787 million over claims that host Jesse Watters misrepresented a phone call between Newsom and Trump during the 2025 Los Angeles riots
- The lawsuit intentionally mirrors the exact amount Fox paid to Dominion Voting Systems in a previous settlement
- Newsom openly admits any proceeds would fund “anti-Trump causes,” revealing the partisan motivation behind the legal action
- The dispute centers on whether Trump and Newsom spoke on June 9, with Newsom claiming their last call was on June 7
- The lawsuit comes amid Newsom’s criticism of Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to quell riots that Newsom’s own policies failed to prevent
Newsom’s Politically Motivated Legal Attack
California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched what appears to be a politically motivated $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, filed on June 27, 2025. The lawsuit specifically targets Fox News host Jesse Watters, claiming he falsely accused Newsom of lying about phone communications with former President Donald Trump during the chaotic Los Angeles riots. The timing of this legal maneuver raises serious questions about Newsom’s priorities while his state’s largest city was engulfed in violence that his administration failed to control.
The lawsuit’s financial demand is no coincidence, deliberately matching the exact amount Fox News paid to Dominion Voting Systems in a 2023 settlement. Even more telling is Newsom’s admission that he’s suing in his personal capacity and plans to direct any awarded damages to “anti-Trump causes,” removing any doubt about the partisan motivation behind this legal action. This transparent attempt to silence conservative media comes as Newsom faces mounting criticism for his handling of California’s deteriorating public safety.
The Phone Call Controversy
At the center of this lawsuit is a dispute over a phone call between Newsom and Trump during the June 2025 Los Angeles riots. According to Newsom’s legal filing, Fox News host Jesse Watters falsely claimed that Newsom lied about not speaking with Trump on June 9. Newsom maintains that their last verified call occurred at 1:28 a.m. ET on June 7, with no contact on June 9. The lawsuit alleges that Fox News deliberately edited a video of Trump to remove his statement that the call happened “a day ago” (June 9).
What’s particularly revealing is how this lawsuit attempts to distract from Newsom’s catastrophic failure to maintain order in Los Angeles. While Newsom busies himself with media lawsuits, Californians suffered through riots that required federal intervention – an embarrassing indictment of his leadership. Instead of addressing the root causes of civil unrest in his state, Newsom appears more concerned with scoring political points against conservative media outlets that dare to question his narrative.
Newsom’s Failed Response to Los Angeles Riots
The backdrop to this legal drama is the June 2025 Los Angeles protests that spiraled into destructive riots following federal immigration enforcement actions. Rather than taking responsibility for the breakdown of law and order in his state, Newsom chose to blame Trump for “fanning the flames” of unrest. He publicly demanded that Trump “stand down,” characterizing the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines as a “manufactured crisis” despite the very real violence occurring on California streets.
“Newsom accused Trump of intentionally escalating tensions by deploying troops and using ‘tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets’ against protesters,” according to the Los Angeles Times. This rhetoric conveniently ignores that federal intervention became necessary precisely because Newsom’s administration failed to maintain public safety in the first place.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter to Governor Newsom regarding the riots, highlighting federal concerns about California’s inability to maintain order. This federal oversight underscores the severity of Newsom’s failure to protect citizens and businesses from riot damage – a responsibility that falls squarely on state leadership before requiring federal intervention.
Legal Hurdles and Political Theater
Legal experts note that Newsom faces significant challenges in winning this case. As a public figure, he must clear the high bar established by the New York Times v. Sullivan standard, which requires proving actual malice – that Fox News knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. This difficult standard exists precisely to prevent powerful government officials like Newsom from using defamation lawsuits to silence critical media coverage.
The lawsuit appears designed more for political theater than legal victory. By targeting Fox News with the exact same dollar amount as the Dominion settlement, Newsom is transparently attempting to draw a false equivalence between the two cases. This calculated move reveals the lawsuit for what it truly is – a publicity stunt meant to energize Newsom’s base while deflecting attention from his administration’s failures.
A Pattern of Deflection
This lawsuit fits a troubling pattern where Newsom deflects responsibility for California’s problems by attacking political opponents. Rather than addressing the root causes of civil unrest – including his own policies that have contributed to California’s deteriorating quality of life – Newsom prefers to engage in high-profile feuds with conservative media and political figures. Meanwhile, Californians continue to flee the state in record numbers, seeking refuge in states with more effective governance.
Fox News has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit, but the network will likely defend itself vigorously against what appears to be a politically motivated attack on press freedom. The case highlights the growing tension between Democratic leadership in California and media outlets that dare to question their narratives – a concerning development for anyone who values diverse perspectives in public discourse.
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