In a move that highlights the fact that lawmakers inexplicably have way too much time on their hands, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) launched a staggering $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, targeting host Jesse Watters.

The suit centers on Watters’ reporting regarding a crucial phone call between Newsom and President Donald Trump, a call that underscored Trump’s decisive action amidst escalating unrest in Los Angeles.

Newsom, a governor whose state continues to grapple with the consequences of unchecked immigration and urban decay, hit Watters with his exorbitant lawsuit on June 27. He claims Watters “willfully distorted” the timeline of a phone call, attempting to distance himself from any perceived endorsement of President Trump’s swift military deployment to quell what many saw as burgeoning immigration-fueled riots in Los Angeles.

During a June 11 segment on his popular show, Primetime, Jesse Watters, known for his no-nonsense approach to political accountability, questioned Newsom’s narrative surrounding a phone call with President Trump concerning the June 10 deployment of Marines. President Trump, ever transparent, had publicly stated he called Newsom “a day ago,” suggesting a June 9 conversation – a detail that would later become the crux of Newsom’s legal maneuvering.

Despite having previously acknowledged a call with President Trump on June 7, Newsom took to X with a cryptic post: “There was no call. Not even a voicemail.” This seemingly absolute denial, which Newsom now claims was only in reference to Trump’s most recent statement, sowed confusion and fueled speculation, a common tactic from politicians seeking to control the narrative.

In an effort to clarify the situation for his viewers, Watters presented President Trump’s Oval Office remarks, alongside a screenshot of Trump’s official call log. This log clearly showed two calls to Newsom on June 7 – one missed, one a substantive 16-minute conversation. While the precise timing of the specific call Trump referenced became a point of contention, Watters’ team, in their pursuit of truth, interpreted Newsom’s ambiguous denial as a broader falsehood, leading to the direct chyron: “Gavin lied about Trump’s call.” This highlights the challenge of reporting on politicians who speak in riddles.

Following the launch of his politically motivated lawsuit, Newsom, seemingly eager to avoid a lengthy legal battle, offered to retract it if Watters issued an on-air apology. On Thursday, Watters, demonstrating a commitment to journalistic integrity even when facing a minor factual nuance, delivered an apology. However, he rightly coupled it with his signature candor, pointing out that Newsom’s initial statements were “confusing and unclear,” though not intentionally dishonest. This underscores the need for public officials to communicate with clarity, especially when dealing with matters of national security and public order.

Not sure there’s a case here, buddy. Maybe, go check on the dumpster fires in your state instead. https://t.co/K8F8HS28VK

— thedailybs w/ Snerdley (@thedailybs_Bo) July 18, 2025

Watters further revealed that Fox News, in a good-faith effort to resolve the dispute amicably and allow for open dialogue, extended an invitation to Governor Newsom to appear on Primetime and “talk it out man to man.” Predictably, Newsom declined, choosing litigation over direct conversation – a common tactic when facts are inconvenient. Watters then elaborated:

“We thought the dispute was about whether there had been a call at all, not when. We thought that the governor was clear when he said, without qualification, that there was no call. Now Newsom’s telling us what was in his head when he wrote the tweet. He didn’t deceive anybody on purpose, so I’m sorry. He wasn’t lying. He was just confusing and unclear. Next time, Governor, why don’t you just say what you mean?”

Jesse Watters Combatively Apologizes to Gavin Newsom Over Lying Suit: ‘I’m Sorry’ https://t.co/JotWYlY2U9

— Mediaite (@Mediaite) July 18, 2025