Overview

• Newsom’s complaint in Delaware Superior Court alleges that Fox News host Jesse Watters removed President Trump’s “a day ago” remark to make it appear Newsom had lied about their June 7 call.
• The governor is seeking $787 million in punitive damages, matching the amount Fox paid to Dominion Voting Systems in its 2023 defamation settlement.
• The lawsuit demands a formal retraction and on-air apology from Watters, offering to withdraw the case if Fox News complies.
• Fox News has dismissed the filing as a frivolous publicity stunt and vows to defend the lawsuit vigorously and seek its dismissal.
• The case underscores the high bar for public-figure defamation and could shape precedents on media accountability.