Fox News File Motion to Dismiss Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Gavin Newsom
In a recent court filing, Fox News has requested the dismissal of California Governor Gavin Newsom's $787 million defamation lawsuit against the network. The lawsuit stems from Fox News' coverage of a dispute between Newsom and former President Donald Trump during the L.A. wildfires.
Fox News is arguing that the lawsuit is politically motivated and intended as a press spectacle, rather than addressing any legitimate reputational harm. They contend that the statements made by host Jesse Watters, accusing Newsom of lying about the timing of phone calls with Trump during the L.A. wildfires, are substantially true.
The network further argues that the lawsuit does not demonstrate legitimate harm requiring a remedy. They claim that Newsom's use of the $787 million figure in his lawsuit is a "headline-grabbing gimmick," as it is the same amount as the 2023 settlement Fox reached with Dominion Voting Systems.
Fox News also seeks to collect attorney fees from Newsom. In their filing, they claim that Watters' statement about Newsom not lying intentionally, but being confusing and unclear, is protected by the First Amendment.
Newsom's attorneys have demanded a retraction and an on-air apology from Fox News, or they will proceed with the lawsuit. Trump provided Fox News with a screen shot showing a record of a call that had occurred days earlier, but Newsom denied this on social media.
It is important to note that this lawsuit does not appear to be related to Texas redistricting, and there is no mention of Governors Abbott or Arnold Schwarzenegger in the current paragraph. There is a separate news item about a massive shark being caught off the Connecticut coast, but it does not relate to the defamation lawsuit.
This summary is based on the 45-page filing Fox News submitted to the court as reported on August 8, 2025. Fox News's grounds for dismissal are:
- The statements by Jesse Watters are substantially true.
- The lawsuit is politically motivated and intended as a press spectacle.
- The complaint does not demonstrate legitimate harm requiring a remedy.
- They argue dismissal on the merits of the defamation claim itself.
As the case progresses, more details are likely to emerge. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Fox News argues that their statements about Governor Gavin Newsom, specifically those made by host Jesse Watters, are substantially true, and contends that the lawsuit is politically motivated and intended as a press spectacle. The network further claims that the complaint does not demonstrate legitimate harm requiring a remedy, citing the $787 million figure used in the lawsuit as a "headline-grabbing gimmick." Additionally, Fox News asserts that the lawsuit's grounds for dismissal are based on the merits of the defamation claim itself.
