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CatWoman

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46. Gavin Newsom's Lawsuit Against Fox News Is Petty, Petulant -- and Pretty Damn Perfect

Fri Jun 27, 2025, 01:26 PM

Jun 27

Gavin Newsom is suing Fox News. On its face, it looks like a political stunt. And make no mistake — it is. But that doesn’t make it any less brilliant.

On Friday, as reported by The New York Times, California’s glossy-haired governor filed a lawsuit in Delaware (where Fox is incorporated), accusing the network of defaming him over its coverage of a phone call with President Donald Trump. The suit seeks a Dominion-sized $787 million in damages — and, crucially, a court order barring Fox News from broadcasting segments that falsely claim Newsom lied about speaking to Trump.

In other words, Gavin Newsom is suing Fox for doing what Fox News does best: distorting reality for political sport.

If you think this seems small and unserious, you are right. But it’s no less absurd than Trump’s legal actions against any number of media outlets he disagrees with, and far more substantive than the crackpot $20 billion suit against 60 Minutes. And that seems to be precisely the point. If Trump can change the rules of engagement, then Newsom will play by the same rules, even if the underlying dispute is murky.

The governor’s legal team even sent Fox a letter demanding a formal on-air apology and retraction from Watters, with a tidy little ultimatum: do that, and we’ll drop the suit. No apology? See you in court.

Look, no one expects this case to end with a giant check or a weepy Watters apology. But that’s not the point. Newsom’s lawsuit is about something else entirely: flipping the MAGA playbook on its head.

For years, Trump and his allies have used the courts as a cudgel against media outlets. They’ve filed frivolous suits not to win, but to chill coverage, drain resources, and send a message. Just this year, Trump launched lawsuits against CBS, ABC News, and even The Des Moines Register. These aren’t legal strategies. They’re intimidation campaigns dressed up as torts.

https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/gavin-newsoms-lawsuit-against-fox-news-is-petty-petulant-and-pretty-damn-perfect/

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Highlight:

Gavin Newsom sues Fox News for $787M in defamation case over Trump call [View all] calguy Jun 27 OP

He must have the tapes BoRaGard Jun 27 #1

Or following Trump newdeal2 Jun 27 #4

He absolutely has the tapes and they would become public if the case moves forward. tinrobot Jun 27 #15

Only a total fool would have a phone call with Trump and not record it all. Newsom is NOT a fool. Attilatheblond Jun 27 #29

THIS orangecrush Jun 27 #37

I think 787 is the amount Fox settled to pay Dominion in that lawsuit. (not sure) . . . .nt Bernardo de La Paz Jun 27 #2

Correct! Just Jerome Jun 27 #11

He needs to sue for triple that swong19104 Jun 27 #21

Let's not second guess his legal team IbogaProject Jun 27 #41

Coincidence? Perhaps. Exactly what I was thinking. nt Exp Jun 27 #30

Gavin Newsom sets the example of how to fight this fascist regime and its propaganda. Doodley Jun 27 #3

Gav the Gov is showing the mettle Dems will need in 2026 and 2028 bucolic_frolic Jun 27 #5

Gonna have to agree with you bucolic.... democratsruletheday Jun 27 #34

Who wouldn't be too good looking, intelligent and liberal to win them over ? thought crime Jun 28 #55

FINALLY Hornedfrog2000 Jun 27 #6

Who is the "liberal billionaire" you opaquely reference? It's not Newsom. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jun 27 #10

Omg semantics Hornedfrog2000 Jun 27 #23

Not fighting / "semantics". Simply like to know "liberal billionaire" you reference? Newsom not even close to billionair Bernardo de La Paz Jun 27 #25

I was also wondering who is this mystery billionaire supposed to be JoseBalow Jun 27 #39

Oooooh Hornedfrog2000 Jun 28 #56

Facts matter. Facts are not "semantics." emulatorloo Jun 27 #31

How about George Soros? newdeal2 Jun 27 #24

Soros is not suing Fox. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jun 27 #26

but he should consider it AlexSFCA Jun 27 #53

He could well be a liberal billionaire anamnua Jun 28 #54

Glad it was Jesse Watters. surfered Jun 27 #7

Me too! GaYellowDawg Jun 27 #20

😁 surfered Jun 27 #28

IQ 45.47 is on that punchable list, too Jerry2144 Jun 27 #44

I don't know... ShazzieB Jun 27 #45

Great news! Gimpyknee Jun 27 #8

Newsome probably won't win SpankMe Jun 27 #9

Newsome isn't suing. Newsom is suing. Bernardo de La Paz Jun 27 #12

LOL...I feel spanked SpankMe Jun 27 #14

probably autocorrect! LittleGirl Jun 27 #16

No 'the'. A 'the' changes the meaning to the opposite of what you meant. Celerity Jun 27 #40

I guess it does change the meaning LittleGirl Jun 27 #47

I think it's more about an excuse to release recordings of the conversations. tinrobot Jun 27 #17

Good insight. You could be right. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jun 27 #22

I like this JustAnotherGen Jun 27 #13

Awesome. Fighting fire with fire. At this point, the only thing that might extinguish flames of propaganda. KPN Jun 27 #18

Go for it! Fox disinformation and lies is the number one reason Trump is president. Martin68 Jun 27 #19

Good. Joinfortmill Jun 27 #27

Gavin Sues Fox for lying maliaSmith Jun 27 #32

Please lemme be on the jury. I promise to listen oasis Jun 27 #33

Is this about when exactly the call was? Calista241 Jun 27 #35

Power to the People! sunflowerseed Jun 27 #36

That's right! Catherine Vincent Jun 27 #38

Go, guv! Hekate Jun 27 #42

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jun 27 #43

Gavin Newsom's Lawsuit Against Fox News Is Petty, Petulant -- and Pretty Damn Perfect CatWoman Jun 27 #46

...flipping the MAGA playbook on its head. CrispyQ Jun 27 #52

What if we form a citizens front against Fox for falsely rainy Jun 27 #48

They did not accuse Newsom of a criminal act. Jacson6 Jun 27 #49

Misleadingly edited a video, just like the CBS Harris interview. bucolic_frolic Jun 27 #50

Good Evolve Dammit Jun 27 #51