Newsoms defamation case against Fox News scheduled for trial in 2028

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred SACRAMENTO — Gov.Gavin Newsom’s pending defamation case against Fox News could go to trial in early 2028, around the same time the governor could be running a 2028 campaign for president.

Newsom sued the news network last year over its coverage of a phone call that took place between the governor and President Trump in June 2025, as unrest simmered over federal immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles.The governor accused the news outlet of intentionally manipulating its coverage to give the appearance that he lied about the call.Despite an on-air apology from Fox News host Jesse Watters and attempts from the network to have the lawsuit thrown out, a Delaware Superior Court judge late last month set a trial date for March 6, 2028.

Newsom filed the lawsuit in Delaware, where Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corp., are incorporated.Newsom’s final term in office ends in early January and he is considering a run for president.The lawsuit seeks $787 million in damages, the same amount the network paid to settle a defamation suit brought by voting machine company Dominion.

The company accused Fox News of airing false claims that voting machines were manipulated to help Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election.Lawyers for Fox News sought to have the case dismissed and Newsom ordered to pay attorneys’ fees.Judge Sean P.

Lugg denied both motions this year, a ruling upheld by the Delaware Supreme Court.“We will continue to vigorously defend against Governor Newsom’s meritless claims, which directly implicate core First Amendment protections for free speech, political commentary and a free press,” the network said in a statement to The Times.“No media empire, no matter how rich and powerful, should get to lie to the American people with impunity,” said Michael Teter, the attorney representing Newsom in the case.“Governor Newsom is holding Fox accountable — and looks ...