California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a staggering $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, following false assertions made by MAGA host Jesse Watters that Newsom misrepresented his discussions with former President Donald Trump about the National Guard’s deployment.

This legal action has reverberated through political and media spheres, as Newsom directly confronts Fox News’ portrayal of the situation, which he contends is deliberately deceptive and rooted in a fabricated narrative.

The lawsuit’s hefty $787 million figure mirrors the settlement Fox News was compelled to pay Dominion Voting Systems earlier this year due to their role in disseminating false information regarding the 2020 election. Newsom’s legal pursuit is not merely an attempt to vindicate his reputation; it represents a challenge to what he describes as Fox News’ “propaganda machine” and seeks to hold the network responsible for the misinformation it propagates, especially concerning its favorable portrayal of Trump and the far-right.

This significant action by Newsom follows a contentious interaction with Jesse Watters, who aired a heavily edited segment of Trump’s remarks and insinuated that Newsom was untruthful about his communications with the former president concerning the National Guard. Watters’ assertions were subsequently amplified by Fox News, intensifying the already heated discussion surrounding the state’s response to the crisis in Los Angeles and the federal government’s role in California’s emergency management efforts.

The Controversial Phone Call and Watters’ Defamation

The issue arose on June 7th when Governor Gavin Newsom engaged in a 16-minute phone call with President Trump, during which they discussed the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to ongoing civil unrest. Newsom emphasized that the deployment was essential due to the state’s increased security concerns, and Trump consented to send the troops to help maintain order in the city.

However, just a few days later, on June 10th, Trump publicly asserted that he had conversed with Newsom “a day ago” regarding the National Guard deployment, suggesting that the discussion had taken place on June 9th. This statement was false, as Newsom’s office promptly clarified—Trump had actually spoken to him two days prior on June 7th.

When Newsom publicly revealed Trump’s falsehood, Jesse Watters of Fox News seized the moment to attempt to discredit the governor. In an episode of The Jesse Watters Primetime, Watters broadcast a clip of Trump’s erroneous statement, posing the rhetorical question: “Why would Newsom lie and assert that Trump never called him?”

Watters further sought to substantiate his smear by displaying a screenshot of Trump’s call log, which did indicate a call on June 7th. However, the manipulation of the timeline was evident, as Watters neglected to accurately recognize that Trump’s assertions regarding the timing of the call were incorrect.

Newsom’s legal representatives contend that Watters and Fox News intentionally misled their audience by editing the video and constructing a false narrative. According to the lawsuit, this was not merely an oversight, but rather a deliberate attempt to undermine Newsom’s credibility and politically attack him during a period of intensified scrutiny.

The Lawsuit: Pursuing Justice and Accountability

Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been a longstanding target of right-wing media criticism, is now taking legal action to hold Fox News responsible for what he describes as their intentional misinformation campaign. The $787 million lawsuit not only seeks reparations for the damage inflicted on Newsom’s reputation but also aims to tackle the larger issue of media accountability in an era characterized by widespread misinformation.

In his public statement, Newsom conveyed his indignation regarding the matter, stating, “If Fox News intends to deceive the American public on behalf of Donald Trump, it must face repercussions—similar to those it encountered in the Dominion case. Until Fox is prepared to be honest, I will continue to combat their propaganda machine.”

Newsom’s legal representatives have highlighted that the distortion of facts by Fox News, particularly by Jesse Watters, signifies a perilous trend within the media landscape. By misrepresenting facts and deliberately misleading the public, Fox News has not only compromised the integrity of political discourse but has also jeopardized the public’s trust in the media.

The Larger Context: MAGA Media and Its Impact

The lawsuit initiated by Newsom also underscores the broader concern regarding MAGA-aligned media and its influence on American democracy. In recent years, Fox News and other entities within the right-wing media sphere have faced allegations of misrepresenting facts, fabricating false narratives, and exacerbating polarization to promote a specific political agenda.

Jesse Watters, as one of the prominent hosts on Fox News, plays a significant role in this ecosystem. Renowned for his confrontational, unrestrained style of political commentary, Watters has emerged as a focal point of controversy, often utilizing his platform to launch assaults on left-wing politicians, institutions, and the media establishment.

In this instance, the timing of the smear campaign against Newsom is not coincidental. As a prominent progressive leader in California, Newsom has consistently been a target for right-wing media, and his management of the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, and the state’s response to civil unrest has offered ample material for his critics.

The fact that Newsom is now countering this media barrage by pursuing legal action represents a noteworthy development. By holding Fox News accountable for its role in disseminating falsehoods, Newsom is conveying a message to other politicians that they need not endure lies and misinformation from influential media organizations.

The $787 Million Lawsuit: A Message to Fox News

The $787 million lawsuit is significant not only due to its magnitude but also for the message it conveys. The amount is nearly equivalent to the $787.5 million that Fox News was compelled to pay to Dominion Voting Systems to resolve a defamation lawsuit concerning false assertions about the 2020 election. Newsom’s legal team has asserted that this lawsuit encompasses much more than mere financial compensation—it aims to hold Fox News accountable for its conduct and to ensure that truth prevails over political manipulation.

“We are not here to profit from this lawsuit,” Newsom’s attorneys stated in a press release. “This is about ensuring that lies have repercussions. It’s about safeguarding the integrity of our democracy and ensuring that elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation, are not subjected to unfounded attacks from a media conglomerate.”

Conclusion: Holding Power to Account
As the conflict between Governor Gavin Newsom and Fox News intensifies, the outcome of this lawsuit will have significant ramifications for the dynamics between politicians and the media. Newsom’s courageous decision to hold Fox News accountable for its role in disseminating misinformation and tarnishing his reputation could serve as a model for future legal actions against the media.