In a bold move that’s shaking up media and political landscapes, California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking Fox News to court over what he claims are deliberate misrepresentations about a phone call with former President Trump.

Newsom has filed a massive $787 million defamation lawsuit against the network, targeting host Jesse Watters for allegedly fabricating claims about a conversation between Newsom and Trump regarding recent Los Angeles protests. The lawsuit’s financial scope mirrors the landmark Dominion voting machines settlement from two years ago, signaling Newsom’s serious intent to challenge media misinformation.

At the heart of the dispute is a contested phone call surrounding ICE raids and subsequent National Guard deployments in Los Angeles. Newsom adamantly denies Trump’s claim about discussing National Guard intervention, stating unequivocally that the president “lied” about their conversation.

The governor isn’t just seeking financial damages - he’s demanding an on-air apology and retraction from Watters, with a pledge to drop the lawsuit if his conditions are met. Notably, Newsom plans to personally fund the lawsuit through his campaign account and has committed to donating any potential proceeds to anti-Trump causes.

Fox News has predictably pushed back, calling the lawsuit a “publicity stunt” designed to suppress critical reporting. However, Newsom’s legal action appears part of a broader strategy to hold media outlets accountable for spreading misinformation.

This lawsuit emerges against a complex backdrop of tension between California’s state government and federal authorities, particularly concerning the deployment of National Guard troops during protests. The ongoing legal battle highlights fundamental questions about military intervention, free speech, and media accountability in contemporary American politics.

As the case unfolds, it represents another chapter in the increasingly confrontational relationship between progressive state leadership and conservative media narratives.