Gavin Newsom’s $787 million lawsuit against Fox News just cleared a major legal hurdle, turning the tables on Trump’s media ally and igniting a fresh proxy war in conservative circles.
Story Snapshot
- Delaware judge ruled Fox acted with “actual malice” in defaming Newsom over a disputed 2024 Trump call, advancing the suit to discovery.
- Newsom appeared on Bill Maher’s HBO show May 2, 2026, urging Fox to settle or apologize while tying it to Trump’s “corruption.”
- Maher called out Newsom for mimicking Trump’s media lawsuit tactics, highlighting tactical parallels.
- Suit amount matches Fox’s $787 million Dominion settlement, pressuring the network amid Trump’s second term.
- Unverified claims of Trump blasting Fox for promoting the interview add tension to their alliance.
Disputed 2024 Phone Call Sparks Defamation Battle
Los Angeles protests in 2024 prompted a phone call between Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom. Fox News aired claims that Newsom lied about the exchange, citing evidence from a different call. Newsom demanded an apology last year. Fox refused. He filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit, symbolically matching their 2023 Dominion settlement for election falsehoods. This set the stage for courtroom confrontation.
Judicial Greenlight Pressures Fox News
A Delaware judge in late April 2026 allowed the lawsuit to proceed. The ruling found it “reasonably conceivable” that Fox broadcast false statements with actual malice. This advances the case to discovery, where internal documents could expose editorial decisions. Fox now faces mounting legal costs and settlement risks, echoing Dominion precedents. Newsom’s team pushed the “actual malice” standard successfully.
Newsom Confronts Maher on HBO
On May 2, 2026, Newsom joined Bill Maher’s Real Time. He defended the suit as accountability for lies, stating “Don’t defame, don’t lie.” Maher accused him of imitating Trump’s trolling and media lawsuits. Newsom countered by framing it as a response to Trump’s “unprecedented corruption” in the current administration. The exchange amplified Newsom’s narrative beyond conservative outlets.
Stakeholders Locked in Power Struggle
Trump seeks to defend his narrative while preserving Fox ties. Newsom boosts his 2028 profile through anti-Trump aggression. Maher critiques hypocrisies on both sides. Fox protects its pro-Trump coverage amid liability threats. A Delaware judge enabled progression. Newsom’s lawyers argued malice effectively. Fox executives confront discovery pressures that could force a payout.
Trump Bashes Fox News for Promoting ‘MORON’ Bill Maher’s Interview With Gavin Newsom: ‘You Look Weak, Stupid, and Ineffective’ #Mediaite https://t.co/iJo2PMqHXp
— #TuckFrump (@realTuckFrumper) May 3, 2026
Implications Reshape Media and Politics
Short-term, Fox incurs discovery expenses and settlement talks, elevating Newsom among Democrats. Long-term, it may deter aggressive defenses of political figures and invite more suits. Conservatives face media rifts; Fox viewers risk trust erosion. Politically, it fuels 2028 rivalries between Trump and Newsom. Economically, a $787 million hit looms large for cable news.
Sources:
California Governor Gavin Newsom Shuts Down Bill Maher for Comparing Him to Donald Trump
