California Gov. Gavin Newsom has filed a significant lawsuit against Fox News, seeking $787 million in damages over alleged defamation. The legal action stems from a claim made by Fox News host Jesse Watters, contending that Newsom misrepresented a phone call with former President Donald Trump.
Newsom asserts the defamation resulted from inaccuracies in the network's reportage, particularly that overseen by Watters, and demands a public retraction along with an apology from Fox News, as the Daily Caller reports.
The lawsuit was initiated in Delaware Superior Court, focusing on what Newsom describes as a distortion by Fox News. Watters recently suggested Newsom had been untruthful about a conversation with Trump, which was supposedly documented in call logs released by the former president. Fox News coverage implied that Newsom lied when denying the phone call, which Trump stated took place on June 7 and lasted 16 minutes. Newsom had previously denied the existence of such a call in a social media post on June 10.
Newsom's legal team argues that Trump's mix-up regarding the call timing is consistent with his historical public statements. They imply Trump's confusion over dates may have led to the misreporting, further alleging that Fox concealed Trump's error.
The California governor is ready to retract the lawsuit if Fox News agrees to issue a retraction of the story. If accompanied by an on-air apology from Watters, this action may lead to an amicable solution to the lawsuit.
The requested damages align closely with a previous settlement Fox News made with Dominion Voting Systems. This past settlement with Dominion was over the network's coverage related to voting technology during the 2020 presidential election.
Fox News has shrugged off the lawsuit as "frivolous," describing it as an attempt to mute critical speech directed at Newsom. The network spokesperson emphasized the network's commitment to defending against this action and highlighted their anticipation for an eventual dismissal of the case.
Watters defended his statement by pointing out evidence provided by Trump, questioning the motive behind Newsom’s denial of the phone conversation with the former president.
Trump's own words regarding the call indicate he had contacted Newsom to critique his performance. He claimed his objective was to communicate that Newsom's handling of affairs was leading to many deaths and potentially more, though Newsom insisted publicly no call or message was made to him.
Newsom's response emphasized the significant threat he says is posed by the allegedly false claims on Fox News. He stated his determination to hold the network accountable unless they show a willingness to act truthfully.
Statements from Newsom assert that Americans should be alarmed at what he perceives as misinformation perpetuated by Fox News in defense of Trump, drawing a parallel with past legal actions against the network.
From Newsom's perspective, the network's failures not only reflect on journalistic integrity but also affect the wider public's trust in media. Fox News maintains that its coverage was fair and challenges Newsom's interpretation of events, highlighting a broader focus on maintaining press freedom in its reporting practices.
The California governor continues to stand firm in his legal position, implying that the lawsuit serves as a mechanism to counter what he labels as a propagation of false information by influential media. As the case moves forward, the parties involved will be adhering to procedural timelines set forth by the court, potentially leading to further revelations during the legal proceedings.
The outcome of this legal struggle may have implications for political figures and the media industry alike, especially concerning how news is reported on contentious public matters.
Newsom's willingness to dismiss the lawsuit if Fox News retracts might signal an opening for negotiations, although the network's current stance suggests that they are prepared to take the case through the legal process.
