Fox News has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the network by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over its coverage of a call President Trump said he had with the Democrat as the two politicians fought about immigration enforcement.
Newsom’s suit, filed in June, alleges the network defamed him when prime-time host Jesse Watters claimed the governor lied about a call with Trump earlier that month.
“If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump’s behalf, it should face consequences — just like it did in the Dominion case,” Newsom said in a statement at the time.
This week, Fox asked the judge overseeing the case to strike Newsom’s complaint, saying the Democrat “made an unqualified assertion that no call had taken place when in fact he and President Trump had spoken just days before.”
The network’s attorneys argued as part of its filing that Newsom was purposely trying to drum up press coverage amid speculation he could run for president in 2028.
“With Gov. Newsom facing possible payment of Fox’s attorney fees and political embarrassment, we’re not surprised he has told us he plans to amend his original complaint,” the network said in a statement issued on Thursday. “But no amendment will change that this case is a transparent publicity stunt and a colossal waste of the court’s time and resources.”
Watters last month apologized on air, saying Newsom “didn’t deceive anybody on purpose” but was “confusing and unclear” with his comments.
Newsom is a frequent critic of the Rupert Murdoch-owned cable channel, where various personalities each day criticize Democrats and other foes of President Trump.
The Hill has reached out to Newsom’s office for comment on the move to dismiss the lawsuit.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Comments