Fox Information has requested a choose to dismiss a lawsuit introduced towards the community by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over its protection of a name President Trump mentioned he had with the Democrat as the 2 politicians fought about immigration enforcement.
Newsom’s go well with, filed in June, alleges the network defamed him when prime-time host Jesse Watters claimed the governor lied a couple of name with Trump earlier that month.
“If Fox Information needs to mislead the American individuals on Donald Trump’s behalf, it ought to face penalties — similar to it did within the Dominion case,” Newsom mentioned in a press release on the time.
This week, Fox requested the choose overseeing the case to strike Newsom’s grievance, saying the Democrat “made an unqualified assertion that no name had taken place when in reality he and President Trump had spoken simply days earlier than.”
The community’s attorneys argued as a part of its submitting that Newsom was purposely attempting to drum up press protection amid hypothesis he may run for president in 2028.
“With Gov. Newsom dealing with doable cost of Fox’s lawyer charges and political embarrassment, we’re not shocked he has instructed us he plans to amend his authentic grievance,” the community mentioned in a press release issued on Thursday. “However no modification will change that this case is a clear publicity stunt and a colossal waste of the court docket’s time and sources.”
Watters final month apologized on air, saying Newsom “did not deceive anyone on objective” however was “complicated and unclear” along with his feedback.
Newsom is a frequent critic of the Rupert Murdoch-owned cable channel, the place numerous personalities every day criticize Democrats and different foes of President Trump.
The Hill has reached out to Newsom’s workplace for touch upon the transfer to dismiss the lawsuit.