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California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit against Fox News seeking over $787 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges defamation due to misleading remarks made by anchor Jesse Watters about a phone call between Newsom and former President Trump. Newsom contends that Fox’s actions have harmed his reputation, misrepresented the facts, and violated California’s Unfair Competition Law. The network has dismissed the lawsuit as a publicity stunt. This case highlights tensions between political figures and media outlets regarding accurate representation in news reporting.

California – Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated a legal battle against Fox News, filing a lawsuit that seeks damages of at least $787 million. This suit, filed in the Superior Court of Delaware, contends that Fox News engaged in defamation by broadcasting misleading remarks regarding a phone call between Newsom and former President Donald Trump.

The contentious remarks originated from Fox News anchor Jesse Watters, who accused Newsom of misrepresenting the details of a June phone call with Trump. During a segment of his show, Watters claimed that Newsom was dishonest about whether the phone conversation had taken place. The governor’s lawsuit is notably similar in its financial demands to the $787.5 million settlement that Fox News reached with Dominion Voting Systems in April 2023, also over defamation claims.

Central to Newsom’s lawsuit are the allegations that Fox News deliberately sought to distort the facts in an effort to support Trump’s narrative. It is reported that Newsom and Trump had a 16-minute conversation on June 7, the day prior to Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops to Los Angeles. In response to Watters’ assertions, Newsom publicly denied having a call with Trump, stating that there was no conversation and not even a voicemail.

The lawsuit claims that Fox News has exhibited “significant ill will” towards Newsom, attributing this animosity to the governor’s progressive policies and his opposition to the network’s editorial agenda. Furthermore, the lawsuit emphasizes that the statements made on air have adversely affected Newsom’s reputation with voters and violate California’s Unfair Competition Law, which prohibits deceptive and unfair business practices.

Newsom’s legal team previously reached out to Fox News with a letter proposing to dismiss the suit if the network issued a retraction and a formal on-air apology from Watters and Fox. Despite this offer, Fox News has dismissed the lawsuit as a “transparent publicity stunt” intended to suppress critical views of Newsom.

The defendants in the case are accused of choosing to edit video segments and comments in a manner that misrepresents Newsom as having lied. The lawsuit alleges that Fox’s actions have led to mistrust and confusion regarding communication involving Trump, as the network’s coverage omitted essential details, thereby leading to defamatory statements about Newsom.

As part of the broader narrative, Newsom expressed his concern over the dissemination of false information by major news outlets. He contends that the American people deserve accurate and reliable information, indicating his resolve to combat media propaganda. This legal dispute not only highlights tensions between political figures and media organizations but also raises questions about the implications of such interactions on public discourse.

In summary, the lawsuit filed by Governor Gavin Newsom against Fox News underscores the ongoing conflict between political statements and media representation. With significant financial stakes and implications for both parties, the outcome of this case may serve as a notable reference point in discussions on defamation and media ethics in the political arena.

Governor Newsom Files Lawsuit Against Fox News for Defamation

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Author: HERE Huntington Beach